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 of...