Missing man found dead

RATHDRUM - A 49-year-old Rathdrum man who was missing since April 30 was found dead in a Rathdrum area pasture on Friday night.

Police said there's no obvious signs of foul play on the body of Grant C. Hoyt.

"Nothing looked suspicious," Rathdrum Police Chief Kevin Fuhr said.

Fuhr said Hoyt was last seen by Rathdrum police officers around 11:30 p.m. on April 30 during a pedestrian check. He had been at the One Eyes tavern in Rathdrum.

"He was known to all the police officers because he'd often walk intoxicated around town," Fuhr said.

Hoyt was found in a small pasture behind the Dashco convenience store just north of the intersection of Highway 53 and Bingham. Hoyt lived on Hidden Valley Road not far from where he was found.

"He didn't have a driver's license, so he'd either walk or ride is bike," Fuhr said. "He was located in a pasture that was out of view (from the road) in some trees. That's why it took so long to find him. It isn't an area you normally go to."

Fuhr said Hoyt had a history of walking in the back woods to get to and from his home, so the location where he was found was not unusual.

Hoyt's family is known in the area and the Hoyt Ranch subdivision near Hauser is named after it.

"All of the other kids are hard workers, but Grant seemed to fall by the wayside," Fuhr said.

Hoyt was booked into the Kootenai County Jail 18 times in the past 12 years. His history included, but was not limited to, six DUI charges, eight driving while suspended charges, two probation violations, two open container charges and obstructing.

His last booking was in July 2009 on a public nuisance charge.