Heartbreaking new details have emerged about the death of beloved Hawaii Five-0 and Magnum P.I. actor Taylor Wily — and his family says it was no tragic accident.
According to a new lawsuit, the 56-year-old actor and former sumo wrestler — best known for playing fan-favorite Kamekona Tupuola — suffered fatal injuries after a Las Vegas-based medical transport company allegedly dropped him while he was in a wheelchair.
The suit, filed by Wily’s estate in Clark County District Court, claims that while Wily was being loaded onto a GMTCare transport van in October 2023, the vehicle’s ramp malfunctioned, sending him crashing backward. His head reportedly struck the pavement, causing severe injuries that his family believes led directly to his death on June 20, 2024, in Hurricane, Utah.
The wrongful death complaint lists Wily’s widow, Halona, and their two children, TulaLagalaga and YoungAsia, as plaintiffs. The family is represented by Las Vegas attorney Richard Young, though neither he nor representatives from GMTCare have commented publicly.
The exact cause and manner of Wily’s death have not been made public. The Utah Department of Health and Human Services confirmed that state law keeps medical examiner records confidential except for next of kin and certain officials.
Born Teila Tuli in Hawaii, Wily first rose to fame as a professional sumo wrestler before becoming a TV staple. He appeared in Hawaii Five-0 from 2010 to 2020 and later reprised his lovable Kamekona role in Magnum P.I.. Fans also remember his brief but hilarious appearance as a hotel worker in Forgetting Sarah Marshall.
Known for his booming laugh and larger-than-life personality, Wily was a Hawaiian icon both on and off screen — and his family’s lawsuit now aims to bring answers and accountability for his tragic death.
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