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Odessa Hunter found dead in Palouse River near St. John

Scott Heimbigner, 59, Odessa, was found dead at about noon Dec. 30, southeast of St. John after an 18 hour search which started the night before when a hunting partner reported him missing. Heimbigner was found partially submerged in the Palouse River in the area where he had been bird hunting. Sheriff Brett Myers said it appeared he had slipped and fallen into the water while hunting along the frozen banks of the river. He was believed to have died from exposure to the extremely low temperatures after falling into the river.

His hunting dog, Tess, was found alive next to him.

The sheriff’s office received a report that Heimbigner was missing at 9:35 p.m. Tuesday night. He had been hunting in the area of Mulkey and DeLong roads east of St. John.

Deputies located Heimbigner’s vehicle at about 10 p.m. near the end of DeLong Road, which approaches the river from the north side. A search was conducted on foot for several hours Tuesday night but was later suspended until daylight when a helicopter and search and rescue crew from Fairchild Air Force Base was able to join the search.

The DeLong Road approach to the river is approximately three miles upstream from the bridge crossing along the Endicott-St. John Road.

County Coroner Peter Martin Saturday issued a report on the death. He determined Mr. Heimbigner died after prolonged exposure to severe cold temperatures. Cause of death was hypothermia, and the manner of death was accidental.

 

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