July 13, 2024, the Patrol Officers from the Pocatello Police Department responded to the area of the Pacific Steel & Recycling trailhead to investigate the report of a human body that had been found in the Portneuf River. When officers arrived, they found partial skeletal remains.
The Pocatello Police Department worked side-by-side with the Bannock County Coroner’s Office, the Ada County Coroner’s Office, the Bingham County Sheriff’s Office, the Bingham County Search and Rescue’s Swift Water Team, and the Idaho State Police’s Forensic Service to positively identify the human remains found in the Portneuf River.
During the investigation, the remains were identified using DNA technologies and the collaborative effort of all the agencies listed above. The investigation is ongoing, and currently, no foul play is suspected.
The family has been notified. The individual’s identity will not be released due to the ongoing investigation.
The Pocatello Police Department would like to publicly thank all of the agencies that have been assisting during this investigation.