Missing woman’s body identified

Hilo police investigate the death of Dawn Gambsky, who was buried in her yard

Hilo police unearthed the skeletal remains of a missing 34-year-old Puna woman buried in her back yard.

The remains were positively identified Tuesday as those of Dawn K. Gambsky, missing since January, police announced yesterday.

But police are not calling this a murder just yet, have classified the case as a coroner's inquest and are awaiting further information from the coroner.

"There are suspicious circumstances," said Detective Rio Amon-Wilkins, who is investigating the case.

Although suicide is unlikely, it has not been completely ruled out, he said.

Gambsky was last seen at her Orchidland Estates house on 37th Avenue seven months ago.

Police began searching the property at 6 p.m. Friday after obtaining a search warrant. They found a possible burial site and began excavation.

Detectives uncovered Gambsky's skeletal remains Saturday. Amon-Wilkins said he was not an expert, but said it may have been possible the body had been buried there for months.

Gambsky lived on the approximately 2-acre property with her 39-year-old husband, who has been interviewed but is not considered a suspect, police said.

Several friends had called police to report they had not seen Gambsky since January.

Gambsky was reported missing on July 27.

Police put out a CrimeStoppers bulletin July 30 for Gambsky.

An autopsy was conducted on Tuesday, but the results have not been released to the public. Using dental records, the remains were positively identified.

Amon-Wilkins said the couple grew up in Puna, attended high school there and are longtime Puna residents.

Neighbors did not report seeing anything. Most properties in Orchidland Estates are approximately 2-acre lots, with lots of trees and forest areas, he said.

"You can't really see the neighbors' house from one lot to another," Amon-Wilkins said.

Police are urging anyone with any information about the case to call Amon-Wilkins at 961-2386 or the Police Department's nonemergency line at 935-3311. Anonymous calls may be made to CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.