Posted at 3:40 p.m., Friday, April 27, 2001

No foul play found in inmates' death

Advertiser Staff

Arizona officials today confirmed that no foul play was involved in the recent deaths of Hawai'i prison inmates John Kia, 41, and Iulai Amani, 23, who were being held at a private facility in Florence, Ariz.

"Unofficially, I was told that Kia died of natural causes and Amani of cardiac arrest due to drug overdose," State Public Safety Director Ted Sakai said today. "Kia had a history of heart problems."

The drugs involved in Amani's death appear to be either cocaine or crystal methamphetamine, Sakai added.

Arizona officials are awaiting autopsy reports to confirm the cause of deaths, Sakai said.

More than 100 Hawai'i inmates are serving time at the prison.