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IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — Authorities believe they may have recovered the body of a former Pocatello woman who went missing earlier this month after she reportedly fell into the Snake River.
Idaho Falls Public Safety dispatchers received a report of a body floating in the river near South Tourist Park on Wednesday morning, according to a news release from the Idaho Falls Police Department. Bonneville County sheriff’s deputies were able to locate and recover the body at the base of the falls on the west side of the river within an hour’s time.
“We have reason to believe this is Kayla Davis,” Detective Sgt. John Marley, with the Idaho Falls Police Department, said in a news release. “However, we have not made a positive identification and we can’t be certain until then.”
Authorities have been searching for Davis, 23, since May 9.
Davis married Walker Thomas, 23, earlier this year and the couple recently moved from Pocatello to Idaho Falls, authorities have said.
On May 9, Thomas called dispatchers to report that his wife had slipped on some driftwood and fallen into the Snake River on the south side of the Broadway Bridge near the Marriott hotel.
An extensive search followed. Idaho Falls police and fire departments, Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office and Idaho Falls Power all participated in the search, which also involved multiple boats and jet skis as well as a drone. But their efforts yielded no results until Wednesday morning.
Authorities say they have notified Davis’ family about the discovery, but it could take some time to make a positive identification of the body.
From last week:
Newlywed missing in eastern Idaho after reportedly falling into Snake River
She had only been married a few months when 23-year-old Kayla Davis and her husband, 23-year-old Walker Thomas, moved to Idaho Falls from Pocatello to start a new phase of their lives together.“Idaho Falls Police have arranged for post-mortem exams to be conducted in the next few days. After results of the examination is complete, police should have more conclusive information,” according to the news release. “No new information is expected until about the middle of next week or later.”
Idaho Falls police say they are grateful to the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, including its dive team and search and rescue members, for their efforts and prompt recovery of the body.
They also cautioned people against recreating in the Snake River right now.
“Law enforcement officials noted the water level of the Snake River is very high, swift and cold,” the news release states. “Officials do not recommend water recreation at this time due to these conditions and urge the public to use extra caution and stay away from the water when these conditions are present.”
