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Man burns to death in bedroom

KAYE THORNBRUGH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 8 months AGO
by KAYE THORNBRUGH
Kaye Thornbrugh is a second-generation Kootenai County resident who has been with the Coeur d’Alene Press for six years. She primarily covers Kootenai County’s government, as well as law enforcement, the legal system and North Idaho College. | December 28, 2021 1:07 AM

HAYDEN — A man reportedly burned to death in his home Sunday.

Kootenai County Sheriff’s deputies responded Sunday to a Hayden residence where a woman said she’d found her adult son unresponsive.

First responders reportedly found the man deceased on the floor of a bedroom.

His upper body was badly burned, police said, with smoke lingering in the air when first responders arrived on scene.

He was in his 30s, police said.

KCSO undersheriff-select Brett Nelson said the man’s death appears to be accidental.

“We believe drugs are involved,” Nelson said Monday, adding that a toxicology report is pending.

An initial investigation appeared to show the man was sitting upright when he lost consciousness with a butane torch or pipe in his hand, Nelson said.

The man reportedly fell forward and caught fire.

He died due to his injuries.

An investigation is ongoing.

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