Former South Lake Tahoe resident is first tourist identified as victim in Lahaina fire

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - A former South Lake Tahoe resident has been identified as a victim of the Lahaina, Maui wildfire. Theresa "Terri" Cook, 72, hadn't been seen since the fires ravaged the historic Hawaiian town. The last time anyone saw her was the day of the fire, walking down Front Street.

Maui County officials identified Cook in a report released on August 22. She had been in Lahaina on vacation, staying at the Best Western Pioneer Inn, and had been scheduled to return to the Sacramento airport on August 9. The deadly fire broke out on August 8.

"It is with a heavy heart that the County of Maui and the Maui Police Department confirms the following identities of the victims involved in the West Maui Wildfire incident. Our hearts go out to the families, friends, and community affected by this devastating event," the County said in a press release.

Terri had been a high-limit table games dealer at Caesars Tahoe while living on the South Shore. She later moved to Pollock Pines and had been there for several years.

Terri's son Adam told KCRA News that the family was no stranger to fire and they had lost their home in the 2007 Angora Fire. He and his sister Melissa Kornweibel, who both went to South Tahoe High School, told the television station their story (see here).