Info sought in death of mom, 2 sons

Detectives hope the description of a distinct vehicle can help them solve the case in which a 25-year-old Coeur d'Alene mom and her two toddler boys were found dead in a submerged car in Fernan Lake last November.

Misty Phelps and her sons, Tristan 1, and Riley, 2, were found by a fisherman at the west Fernan Boat Launch just before 11 a.m. on Nov. 3. How the car wound up in the lake is being investigated.

The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office wants information on or to speak to the driver of a dark-colored SUV seen leaving the launch and park in Fernan Village at 10:08 p.m. on Nov. 2.

The SUV is possibly a Ford Bronco, late ’80s or early ’90s model, with Idaho license plates. It has custom headlights and custom LED lighting near the headlights.

"The headlights and LED lighting are color-tinted, or color-shifting, and are distinctive in appearance," a KCSO press release states.

The KCSO would also like anyone who was at the boat launch or park on Nov. 2 between 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. to contact detectives if you have not already done so.

Detectives are identifying the people and vehicles that were at the site that night.

Anyone with information should contact Detective Brad Maskell at bmaskell@kcgov.us, Detective Terry Campbell at tcampbell@kcgov.us, or call 446-2237.

Phelps worked in the print facility of The Coeur d'Alene Press starting in August 2013. She attended Priest River Lamanna High School.