Update: Suspicious death near Hauser Lake

HAUSER LAKE — The death of a woman found partially submerged in a slough near Hauser Lake this afternoon appears to be suspicious, according to the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office.

The KCSO did not release the woman's name, approximate age or hometown tonight. Detectives were still working at the scene as of 5:30 p.m. and a deputy said they'd be there for several more hours.

The KCSO responded to the northwest side of Hauser Lake on Hauser Lake Road to a reported drowning just before 2 p.m. The scene is about a mile past Hauser City Hall.

"Once on scene, deputies located an obviously deceased individual in the slough on the west side of Hauser Lake Road (near Newman Arm Road)," a KCSO press release states.

Both Kootenai County Coroner Warren Keene and Kootenai County Prosecutor Barry McHugh arrived on scene around 5 p.m.

When asked if he had any details about the death, Keene said, "They're still trying to figure it out."

McHugh declined to comment other than say a woman was found, citing the pending investigation. 

Traffic heading toward the northern tip of the lake had to turn around during the investigation. One man said he was almost home, but had to go through back through Newman Lake to get there. 

Hauser Lake Road south of Newman Arm Road to Paddlewheel Road was closed while detectives processed the scene. 

No other information was released.