Murder suspect arrested

PRIEST RIVER — Police arrested and charged a man with second-degree murder after a missing Priest River woman's body was found in a remote area.

Bradley Michael Leader, 67, of Priest River was booked into the Bonner County Jail and charged with second-degree murder, second-degree kidnapping and aggravated assault.

Eveline Ursula Pederson, 66, of Priest River, was reported missing by her partner, Joseph Clark, on Aug. 19. Clark reported that he had last seen Pederson on Aug. 17 at their home and believed she had left the property to clean cabins in the Priest Lake area.

Police said that leads directed detectives to search for Pederson in a remote area north of Priest River. With the assistance of a Bonner County Sheriff’s Volunteer Search and Rescue cadaver dog, police found Pederson’s body.

After further investigation, police arrested Bradley Michael Leader.

Leader was reportedly living on the property with Pederson and Clark.

No further information will be released at this time.