Pocatello police investigating after dead body recovered from Portneuf River

POCATELLO — Local police have recovered a body from the Portneuf River in the area of North Main Street and Sacajawea Park in Pocatello.

Pocatello police received a report from a local resident around 5 p.m. Saturday of the possible discovery of human remains in the Portneuf River in the area of the railroad bridge on North Main Street, police told the Journal on Monday.

Police contacted the Bingham County Search and Rescue team and ultimately located and removed the body from the river Saturday evening.

On Monday, there was a large police presence, including several police vehicles and a mobile crime scene command post, stationed near where the body was found and police were canvassing the area for information and evidence that could be pertinent to the investigation.

Police said they are unable to release any information about the body at this time, including the individual’s age and gender.

Pocatello police say they don’t know the person’s cause of death but the body will be sent to the Ada County Coroner’s Office this week where an autopsy will be conducted and more information could be released at that time.

Police say the body appears to have been submerged in the water for quite some time.

This is an isolated incident and there is no current threat to the public, said police, adding that anyone who might have any information about the incident should call Pocatello police detectives at 208-234-6121.