HILO » Big Island police opened a homicide investigation after a male body was found with apparent gunshot wounds yesterday at McKenzie State Park, 25 miles southeast of Hilo.

The shoreline park has a rocky cliff facing the sea in some areas, but the body of a male Caucasian was found at midafternoon at the water's edge in a less elevated part of the shore, police Capt. Randall Medeiros said. It was not known who found the body.

A movie crew and cast, including Britain's Helen Mirren, the lead actress in the 2006 movie “;The Queen,”; were at the park filming an adaptation of Shakespeare's play “;The Tempest.”; The adaptation features Mirren as Prospera, a sorceress ruling a magical island.

State Film Commissioner Donne Dawson said the film crew was working away from where the body was found, and no one involved in the film was questioned by police.

The park is on the far side from Hilo on a ridge where cell phone and radio communication are difficult, Medeiros said. As a result, from his office in Hilo, Medeiros had only limited information.

He did say that the body was found a “;short period of time”; after the shooting. Medeiros declined to say how the body was dressed or whether a suspect was known. No weapon was found, he said.

Police continued their investigation at the park into the night yesterday, Medeiros said.

Anyone with information should call Detective Rio Amon-Wilkins at 961-2386, he said.