California woman dies after being found floating, unresponsive, in waters just off Hanalei beach

A 72-year-old woman is dead after being found floating, unresponsive, and pulled from the waters just off the beach at Hanalei Beach Park early the afternoon of April 24 on Kaua‘i’s North Shore.

Kaua‘i first responders were dispatched at about 12:45 p.m. Thursday to the beach park on reports of an unresponsive swimmer.

Bystanders noticed a woman, later identified as California resident Ricki Fehr, floating near the water’s edge and swiftly brought her to shore. Personnel with Kaua‘i Fire Department and American Medical Response upon their arrival at the beach initiated advanced life-saving measures.

Fehr was subsequently transported to Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital in Kapaʻa, where she was pronounced dead.

An autopsy is pending to determine her exact cause of death. Foul play is not suspected.