Remains found in Kootenai River
Sally Balcaen | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 9 years, 3 months AGO
According to press release issued last week, the Boundary County Sheriff Office received a report of skeletal human remains on Oct. 12. The remains were discovered on a gravel island in the Kootenai River, east of Bonners Ferry. The remains were found as workers were clearing brush off the island as part of the Kootenai River restoration project.
The skeleton is mostly intact and appears to have been at that location for a considerable amount of time.
The Sheriff's Office has coordinated with the Boundary County coroner to remove the remains and the coroner has scheduled an autopsy to assist in the identification of the remains.
The BCSO has been in contact with investigators from the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office to determine if the remains could be related to any open missing person cases from Montana.
Updated information will be released upon identification of the remains.
ARTICLES BY SALLY BALCAEN
Boundary County Sheriffs refute dog claims
There has recently been media reports of a large number of dogs being shot and killed in Boundary County. KHQ News released a story on Jan. 12 stating that as many as 90 dogs had been found dead at a dump site north of Bonners Ferry near the Canadian Border. Since then, several other news outlets have picked up the story. However, according to a press release from the Boundary County Sheriff's Office, these stories are not factual. Based on reported information that the BCSO has received, the number of dogs is significantly inaccurate. While there have been a few isolated reports of dogs being killed over the past year, these reported incidents have not been found to be related. So far, there have been only four confirmed dog shootings. The BCSO is investigating a few other recent reports as well. In order for a crime, such as a dog being unlawfully killed, to be investigated, persons with knowledge of this crime need to contact the law enforcement agency who has jurisdiction in that area. Some reports brought in of a dog being killed have led to charges brought against the person(s) responsible for the deaths. Anyone with any firsthand knowledge of dogs being unlawfully killed or disposed in Boundary County are asked to contact the Boundary County Sheriff's Office at 267-3151.
Rocha disappearance investigated as homicide
Since the disappearance of Michael Rocha in November, the Boundary County Sheriff's Office, Bonners Ferry Police Department and the Idaho State Police have been actively investigating the case. During the course of the investigation, it has been determined that Rocha is deceased. Chief Deputy Rich Stephens confirmed that Rocha's death is now being investigated as a homicide. No charges have been filed in connection with Rocha's death at this time. Rocha, 58, went missing on Nov. 8. He was not a permanent resident of Boundary County, but was staying with different friends in the area. The last contact the BCSO had with Rocha was when deputies responded to a call for assistance for Rocha by a relative of his.
BCSO continuing search for missing man
The Boundary County Sheriff's Office is continuing their search into missing resident Aram Wade Dowell. Dowell, 36, was last seen Dec. 16. Candy Colvin, Dowell's mother, is very concerned for her son. "Three weeks, no one's seen him," said Colvin, "He hasn't called. It's like he fell off the face off the earth." According to Colvin, Dowell vanished shortly after a domestic dispute with his father-in-law, who fired several shots in his direction.The Sheriff's Office confirmed that there was a physical altercation between Dowell and his father-in-law, who was armed with a pistol. No one was injured. According to Chief Deputy Rich Stephens, however, there is no indication of foul play in Dowell's disappearance. As of now, the Sheriff's Office is checking in with Dowell's contacts for information. Dowell sold his truck before disappearing, therefore making it more difficult for deputies. "We don't have a vehicle or anything to trace," said Stephens. Colvin finds his disappearance abnormal, though. "It's not like him not to call anyone," said Colvin. Colvin asks Boundary County residents to "please keep your eyes open and please call the Sheriff's Office if you have any information."