Police: Woman's body found in Snake River identified as missing newlywed

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IDAHO FALLS — The family of a former Pocatello woman who went missing nearly a month ago after she reportedly fell into the Snake River received some closure Tuesday when the woman’s body was officially identified.

Using dental records, a forensic odontologist determined that the body recovered from the Snake River on May 30 by the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office has been identified as Kayla Davis, 23, according to a statement released Tuesday by the Idaho Falls Police Department.

While the forensic examination is not yet complete and the investigation into Davis’ death remains ongoing, the analysis determined that dental records of Davis were a definitive match with the results of the dental exam of the body, the Idaho State Journal reported.

"The death of our daughter Kayla was a tragic accident," the family said in a May 23 statement. "... We are so grateful at this time for our family and our friends, countless numbers of kindnesses from people we know and those we don’t. We have tremendous respect and appreciation for the Idaho Falls Police Department and the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue members for their knowledge, dedication, caring and compassion during the most difficult of times."

The search for Davis started the late evening of May 9 when Idaho Falls Public Safety Dispatch received a report from Davis’ husband, Walker Thomas, 23, alleging 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. Thomas and Davis married earlier this year.

The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office as well as the Idaho Falls Police and Fire Departments responded immediately and began searching the area. Every day for almost two weeks, the Idaho Falls Police Department combed the banks of the Snake River while the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue and Dive Team continued to search the river using jet skis and boats equipped with sonar.

The Idaho Falls Police deployed its drone for the first time in search of Davis on May 10 and Idaho Falls Power swept its debris-collection grates daily in an attempt to locate Davis.

On May 21, Sergeant Bryan Lovell of the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office reported that extra resources were deployed in anticipation of increased water levels. Local residents also spent countless hours out on the river with various watercraft searching for Davis.

After day 14, the search was scaled back significantly with only a few search rotations throughout the area daily, Lovell said.

On May 30, Davis’ body was recovered from near the south end of South Tourist Park.

The Idaho Falls Police Department said it will not speculate about what may or may not have occurred the night Davis fell into the river until the investigation is complete.

Idaho Falls Police also cautioned people against recreating in the Snake River based on current conditions.

"Law enforcement officials noted the water level of the Snake River is very high, swift and cold," Idaho Falls Police said in its May 30 statement about the recovery of Davis’ body. "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."