ST. MARIES - Idaho State Police officials on Tuesday were investigating a murder at a home more than seven miles south of St. Maries along Highway 3.

Law enforcement representatives from both Benewah County Sheriff Bob Kirts' office and the Idaho State Police said they intended to release information about the killing today.

Fellow employees of the man who was killed, however, identified him as Robert Marek, 43, and said he was found at his home outside town.

They said a woman was taken into custody in connection with the killing.

The employees, of Stimson Lumber Company Inc.'s St. Maries manufacturing facility, said they were gathered together at work early Tuesday and told the news of Marek's death by company representatives.

They said he didn't show up to work on Monday for a swing shift, which was very uncharacteristic of him, leading to a search.

The Stimson employees were given Tuesday off with pay to mourn the loss, and gathered at Resor's Recreation on Main Avenue.

About 15 to 20 of Marek's fellow employees showed up.

They said he was known as "Chappy" at the Stimson facility, and was a hard-working and reliable employee.

"He was very dedicated to his job," one said.

He recently received a promotion and $3-an-hour raise, they said. He had a vacation scheduled for next week.

Marek, who was into growing fruits and vegetables and was a gun enthusiast, was a single man with no children, they said.

Police investigators were still working the scene Tuesday afternoon. Police in white suits appeared to be gathering evidence behind Marek's home.

The property has multiple older outbuildings on it. A logging truck, with the Marek name on it, was parked on one side of the property.