Deputies investigate unrelated deaths

CLARK FORK — Sheriff’s detectives are probing two unrelated deaths that occurred in eastern Bonner County last week.

Jacob M. Chamberlain, 21, died of gunshot wound to the head shortly after midnight on Saturday. On Sunday night, another person who has not been positively identified apparently died in a structure fire near the Montana state line.

“It’s an ongoing investigation at this point,” Det. Sgt. Gary Johnston said of Chamberlain’s death.

Authorities were summoned to the 200 block of West Sixth Avenue at 12:06 a.m., after receiving a report of a weapons offense.

Chamberlain was not alone at the time of the shooting, which has fueled speculation that his killing was a homicide. There is also speculation that Chamberlain shot himself, although friends and family have expressed disbelief that he would take his own life.

An adult male who was with Chamberlain was questioned and arrested on an unrelated warrant, but has since posted bond, said Johnston.

“I don’t have enough to actually hold anybody at this point in connection with the death,” said Johnston.

Sheriff’s officials acknowledge there is much speculation surrounding Chamberlain’s death, but emphasize it has not been classified as a suicide, homicide or accident.

“All the parties were known to each other at the time of the death and there is no immediate threat to the community,” said Johnston.

Autopsy and toxicology results are pending. Detectives are also still conducting follow-up interviews and additional investigation, Johnston said.

Meanwhile, detectives are working to confirm the identity of a body that was discovered following a structure fire at a home on Ford Road, which branches off of Highway 200 about three-quarters of a mile from the Montana state line.

The fire occurred after 10 p.m. and its cause and origin are still under investigation.

“We did recover remains from the fire,” said Johnston.

An adult male who reportedly occupied the residence remains unaccounted for, but investigators are withholding the person’s name until a positive identification is made.

“We have forewarned next of kin, but we can’t say who it is yet because we don’t know for sure,” Johnston said.