Suspicious death probe is ongoing

COEUR d’ALENE — Police Chief Lee White said Wednesday that the investigation into Richard Baumgartner’s death two weeks ago is continuing. It’s just not going as quickly as some people would like.

“We’d rather be right than fast,” White told The Press. “We want to make sure if there is an arrest, there will be a conviction.”

About 1 a.m. Dec. 13, police found Baumgartner, 22, of Hayden, in a vehicle in a downtown parking lot with a gunshot wound to the back of his head. Since the death, which police have called suspicious, family and friends have been active on social media, sharing theories and rumors.

Some of those rumors were reported Tuesday night by “other media” outlets, White said, calling the reports “factually incorrect.” He did not specify what was inaccurate but emphasized the importance of letting the investigators do their job before reaching conclusions.

“Investigations take time,” he said. “If you press these things, there’s a chance you mess up these investigations.

“Our investigators are doing an exceptional job tracking down every lead... They are not done yet.”

White wanted to reassure people that there isn’t a mass murderer or serial killer on the loose.

“The public at large is not in danger,” he said.

While there isn’t a specific timeline on completion of the investigation, White said there will be a full accounting to the public when the investigation is complete.