Death investigation continues

POST FALLS - The body found in the Spokane River near the state line on Saturday appears to be that of a white male possibly between the ages of 20 and 35 with several distinctive tattoos and has been in the water for at least several weeks.

The body has not been identified and no cause of death has been determined, Kootenai County Sheriff's Department Maj. Ben Wolfinger said. An autopsy is scheduled for today.

"We should know more after that," Wolfinger said. "We're treating it like a homicide until we can prove it differently."

Wolfinger said there are no reported missing persons in Kootenai County that fit the description of the found body, but the sheriff's office is collaborating with neighboring agencies on the case.

The sheriff's department did not release what the tattoos on the body are of, where they're at on the body or specific clothing or appearance descriptions.

"There is no identification on the body even though the body was wearing clothes indicative of cooler weather," Wolfinger said, adding he was wearing a coat and pants.

Wolfinger said it's unclear whether the body entered the water where it was found near Richards Road and West Riverview Drive on the Idaho side or farther upstream.

It appears the body has been in the water at least several weeks, if not months, Wolfinger said.

It was found and reported by a man who was walking in the area before 8 a.m. on Saturday.

"The guy thought it was just clothes, but then realized it was a body and called us," Wolfinger said, adding that it was in a shallow area of the river.

There were no obvious signs of foul play, partially due to it being in the water that long. No clues such as a vehicle or materials the man may have been carrying were found near the body.

Further information will be released as it becomes available.

Those with information are asked to contact Det. Jerry Northrup at 446-1300.