Authorities, with the help of a civilian, found the body of 26-year-old Utah resident Ryan Soper on Thursday in a remote area above Secret Falls in Wailua. He had been missing since separating from a kayak tour group on the
Authorities, with the help of a civilian, found the body of 26-year-old Utah resident Ryan Soper on Thursday in a remote area above Secret Falls in Wailua. He had been missing since separating from a kayak tour group on the trail that leads to the falls, officially known as Uluwehi Falls.
Forensic pathologist Anthony Manoukian flew in Friday from Maui to determine the cause of Soper’s death.
“The results of the autopsy show that he died of a massive head injury,” county spokesperson Mary Daubert said in a press release Friday evening.
Amie Soper, Ryan’s wife, said authorities were ready to reach the area where her husband’s body was laying when the civilian alerted them of the body’s exact location.
The two scent-tracking dogs from O‘ahu that were helping with the search could get to the location easily, but authorities were having a hard time because of all the mud.
On her way to the airport Thursday evening, Amie, accompanied by her father, Gary Tibbitts, said she was just glad she knew the outcome and didn’t have to wonder what happened anymore.
The tearful, but resilient wife of the Utah visitor said she was ready to go back home.
∫ Léo Azambuja, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or lazambuja@kauaipubco.com.
