Searching for Answers: 100 Days On, 4 Individuals Still Missing after Maui Fires

Maui officials have confirmed that four individuals are still missing from the devastating wildfire that swept through West Maui, erasing centuries of history in Lahaina. These individuals include a former NASA engineer, a published author, a father of two, and a beloved mother, according to interviews conducted by CNN with officials from the Maui Police Department.

Authorities are facing a challenging dilemma: is it possible that after 100 days, any of the four individuals are still unaccounted for? Alternatively, could it be that some or all of those who have not been found tragically perished in the fire?

Leola Vierra walks through the remains of her home for the first time on September 26 in Lahaina, Hawaii.

Mengshin Lin/AP

Additional Lahaina residents will soon have the opportunity to revisit their homes, which were devastated by the fire. Answering the question of how many residents are still unable to return is not straightforward, as the Maui Police have just removed another person from the missing list in October. With investigative efforts, the authorities were able to locate the individual in a safe condition, although no specific details regarding the location or manner of discovery were revealed by a spokesperson from the Maui Police.

Law enforcement officials in Hawaii apply a legal provision wherein a person is considered deceased if they have been missing for a consecutive period of five years. Consequently, search efforts are conducted with the belief that the four individuals are still unaccounted for unless a living individual is located or human remains are definitively identified.

Thursdays 100-day mark since the inferno coincides with a somber moment for Maui - officials this week increased the death toll of the August 8 disaster to 100 people.

This photo of Lahaina from October 7 shows the damage that remains two months after the fire swept through the area.

Mario Tama/Getty Images

The Maui Police Department evidence analysts have been tirelessly working for several weeks to identify severely damaged human remains. However, as of Wednesday, they have been unsuccessful in positively identifying the single set of remains.

The officers responsible for locating missing persons from the fire, or the unidentified remains of those from Lahaina, are continuing their search in the burn zone. As recently as this week, teams are conducting new inspections throughout the debris.

From left, the banyan tree in Lahaina, Hawaii is pictured in 2011 and 2023.

Getty/Chris Imonti

Mauis 150-year-old banyan tree is growing leaves after being charred by the wildfires. Its just the beginning of a long recovery

However, the Maui police officers assigned with locating the missing individuals in Lahaina feel the heavy responsibility of unearthing the truth behind their disappearances. In a rare disclosure, two officers shared glimpses of these interrupted lives and expressed their unwavering determination to persist in their search.

Brad Taylor, the initial officer appointed to the Maui Police's unit for Lahaina fire missing persons and notifications to victims' families, emphasized the profound impact of witnessing someone's anguish firsthand while they weep.

Steven Landsiedel, Taylor's colleague in the same unit, expressed a profound emotional attachment to the narratives of individuals who remain unaccounted for, as well as the resolved cases that he and his team have handled.

"It does change you, it doesnt matter how many you do," Landsiedel said of the investigations completed and notifications to victims families.

The 4 people still missing

During the initial phases of the Lahaina wildfire, the authorities representing 17 local, state, and federal agencies were faced with a daunting task—they discovered that the number of missing individuals surpassed 3,000.

The list, revised October 30, now stands at four:

Lydia Coloma, 70.

Paul Kasprzycki, 76.

Robert Owens, 65.

Elmer Lee Stevens, 73.

Honolulu Civil Beat, a nonprofit newsroom, reported eight of Colomas family members died in the wildfire - an astounding toll for an extended Filipino family.

KAANAPALI, HAWAII - AUGUST 08: The town of Lahaina is engulfed in wildfires as observed from the nearby Kaanapali Alii resort on August 08, 2023 in Kaanapali, Maui, Hawaii. (Photo courtesy of Gonzalo Marroquin/Getty Images)

Hawaii council members have unanimously voted in favor of a resolution to delay the reopening of West Maui to tourists. Previously unreported information includes details about the three individuals who are still missing and presumed credible in the Lahaina fire.

Robert Owens, known for his frequent visits to Lahaina, was revealed to have a previous profession as a NASA engineer through interviews with his close relatives, according to Landsiedel.

Elmer Lee Stevens, a father of two, was recognized by Maui officers as a familiar face in Lahaina. Known for seeking solace in the serene joys of life, Stevens is described as a regular presence in the area.

Landsiedel added that, based on interviews with his family, it was discovered that he often visited libraries and derived enjoyment from reading books or spending time there. According to the officers, Paul Kasprzycki, a Lahaina resident, was described as being blessed with various abilities. Additionally, Kasprzycki has two children who are eagerly seeking information.

He is a local artist, a boat builder, a woodworker, a published author, and a father of two, according to Landsiedel's statement.

Due to privacy concerns and ongoing investigations, Maui Police refused to disclose the last known whereabouts of the four missing individuals on the day of the wildfire, or their previous places of residence. CNN's attempts to seek comments from the relatives of the missing people were unanswered.

The fifth person recently removed from the list is Artur Babkov, 35. Maui police confirmed to CNN Babkov was found in good health in late October.

Drawing from past experience

Officers Taylor and Landsiedel are part of a four-member team known as the MINT unit, which stands for Morgue Identification Notification Task force. These officers are responsible for three crucial tasks: coordinating missing persons investigations in Lahaina, tracking identification processes, and ultimately delivering the tragic news to grieving family members.

Officers Brad Taylor, right, and Steven Landsiedel speak during an interview using a virtual background.

CNN

In an interview with Taylor and Landsiedel, both conveyed significant training connected to notifying grieving families after fatal vehicle crashes.

Taylor stated that due to their distinct exposure and expertise, they possess superior abilities to handle the intricate aspects linked to death and death notifications, surpassing the customary qualifications of an ordinary police officer. However, the backgrounds and friendships of both individuals influenced their reactions to the unparalleled crisis facing Maui.

Landsiedel started by stating, "I come from Paradise, California," as he reflected on his involvement with the deadliest wildfire in the history of California, which further instilled in him a heightened sense of empathy and obligation towards those impacted by the Lahaina wildfire.

I made a deliberate effort to reach this position, ensuring that I could contribute effectively to the department's operations and provide support to the affected families and friends. This endeavor became even more significant after the devastating Camp Fire incident in Northern California in November 2018, where electrified utility lines were toppled by strong winds, igniting one of the deadliest wildfires in modern American history prior to Lahaina.

The inferno consumed 95% of the town of Paradise, leaving 85 people dead.

A National Guard member walks through a burned neighborhood after the Maui wildfires in Lahaina, Hawaii, on August 16, 2023. The death toll from the devastating wildfire that destroyed a Hawaiian town rose to 106 on August 15, according to authorities, prompting the expansion of a temporary morgue to handle the tragic aftermath. The White House announced on August 16 that US President Joe Biden will visit fire-ravaged Hawaii on August 21 to meet with survivors and first responders who are still searching for victims.

The incalculable emotional toll of the Maui wildfires

After residing on Maui for nearly eight years, Landsiedel views his daily work on Lahaina cases as an essential contribution to healing the families of Maui. "Our objective is to ensure that anyone who has lost a loved one can either locate them or attain closure," Landsiedel stated.

Discovering a friend among the dead

In August, while conducting a missing persons investigation, Taylor came across the name of a former co-worker on a report that disclosed the recent discovery of human remains in Lahaina. Taylor had previously collaborated closely with this individual when they both worked at the police department. Learning about their demise through a DNA confirmation report, Taylor reflected on their past association.

Taylor explained how he made it a priority to remain emotionally detached during the entire process. It was crucial for him to not let his emotions take over, as it would hinder his ability to effectively support the affected individuals. He personally took on the responsibility of informing over 20 families of the victims of the Lahaina wildfire, which accounted for slightly more than 20% of the total casualties. These notifications were carried out in person, with the support of the Honolulu Police Department and chaplains from the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team.

Identifying the last set of remains

Despite the passage of 100 days, the authorities reiterated their commitment to ongoing search efforts for the individuals who remain unaccounted for, with recent search operations being conducted in the Lahainas burn zone. Taylor and Landsiedel delivered a resolute message to the families of the missing, affirming that their pursuit of answers and closure is far from complete.

Taylor stated that she and Steve are continuing to search through the debris, aiming to uncover new information and ensure the discovery and safety of the remaining individuals.

Meanwhile, in a laboratory located miles away from the disaster's epicenter, a sole set of damaged human remains is currently undergoing extensive DNA analysis. It remains uncertain whether these remains correspond to any of the four individuals listed as missing.

Leola Vierra walks through the remains of her home for the first time on September 26 in Lahaina, Hawaii.

Mengshin Lin/AP

More Lahaina residents will be able to return to their burned homes for the first time

During his interview with CNN, Tony Earles, a crime scene investigator and evidence specialist at Maui Police, explained that the process of identifying the remains could span several days or even months.

When asked about potential leads, Earles emphasized that in the field of forensics, relying on mere ideas or hunches is not the norm. Instead, he emphasized the importance of relying on scientific evidence and methodology.

Extensive DNA analysis will be conducted, and there is a possibility of performing genetic genealogy to ensure the confirmation of the familial connection with these significantly damaged remains. We cannot underestimate the seriousness of this issue. Authorities stated that it would be unimaginable if there were no traces of the missing individuals from the Lahaina fires ever found. According to Hawaii state law, if no remains are recovered and there is no satisfactory explanation for the continuous absence of an individual for five years, during which there has been no contact, they will be presumed dead.

As West Maui continues its gradual recovery and a new era unfolds in Lahaina, Earles, Landsiedel, and Taylor remain optimistic that the families of those who disappeared on August 8 will eventually find the answers and comfort they seek.