HILO (HawaiiNewsNow) - On Friday, Hawaii Island detectives identified the second female set of remains that were recovered from within the debris of a downed banyan tree back in July.

According to police, the remains were positively identified by DNA comparison as 48-year-old Michelle Katrina Noelani Comer, of Kea’au.

On August 1, police identified the other victim as 35-year-old Trisha Almazan, of Kea’au.

Family members said the two were a couple.

The banyan fell on Kilauea Avenue July 12. A memorial now marks the spot where the women’s bodies were recovered from the debris on July 20, more than a week later .

After autopsies were conducted on July 22, the forensic pathologist ruled the cause of death for both women as “mechanical asphyxiation” with the manner of death ruled accide

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