Fugitive cause of death unclear

COEUR d'ALENE - Idaho State Police officers are investigating the death of a fugitive whose body was found inside a Coeur d'Alene home early Sunday following a Saturday night standoff.

"We are waiting for the autopsy, which should be (today), before releasing any information on a cause of death," stated ISP spokeswoman Teresa Baker when asked Monday if 37-year-old John David Crispin's death was being investigated as an apparent suicide.

The standoff began after Crispin's ex-wife informed police at 8:30 p.m. Saturday that the wanted man was armed and inside her home on Quincy Court, in the Landings neighborhood. Multiple agencies responded and officers attempted to contact Crispin by phone and with a bullhorn.

At 3:30 a.m. Sunday, Crispin fired at least one round from a weapon and officers returned fire. Crispin was later found dead in the home. No officers were injured.

Crispin was wanted by multiple jurisdictions and had a criminal history that included battery, resisting a police officer, firearms violations and assault with a dangerous weapon. He eluded police in October after allegedly attempting to use a vehicle to run over a Coeur d'Alene Tribal Police officer during a Plummer traffic stop.

Coeur d'Alene Police Department Sgt. Christie Wood said ISP is part of Kootenai County's critical incident task force. Whenever multiple law enforcement agencies are involved in an incident, ISP leads the investigation.