Franklin coroner reports on Palouse Falls death

Franklin County Coroner Dan Blasdel May 17 issued official identification and a cause of the unattended death of Noble Stoneman, the WSU graduate who fell into the Palouse River above Palouse Falls last May 10. Blasdel determined the cause of death was drowning, but said Noble was believed to be unconscious when he fell into the river basin above the falls.

Stoneman was hiking along a path above the basin when the ground gave away. He fell approximately 100 feet and hit a ledge, then fell into the river basin.

Blasdel said a fisherman at the scene witnessed the fall.

The autopsy revealed Stone...