Prosecutor Investigating Death of Salmon Woman
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(IDAHO FALLS) – The Bonneville County Prosecutor’s Office is leading an investigation into the death of a Salmon woman who died in police custody Oct. 31.
The Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office said Kari Lynn Stephanishen, 44, strangled herself with a seat belt after being arrested on drug-related charges.
Officers discovered the woman “some time” later after searching a vehicle in which she was a passenger. She was later taken to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center where she died.
The woman’s family claims foul play was involved considering that the woman was handcuffed.
Lemhi County officials said its standard procedure for incidents like these to be investigated independently by an outside agency.