Death of man investigated

SANDPOINT — The Bonner County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a North Idaho man whose body was discovered in Colburn Creek on Nov. 24.

Deputies were summoned to the Bailey Road area after a motorist saw the body in the creek, said Undersheriff Ror Lakewold.

The body is that of Amos John Kopas, 35. An obituary described Kopas as avid fisherman, hunter and motorcyclist.

Lakewold said it’s not clear what Kopas was doing at the creek, although it appeared his body was in the creek for at least a couple of weeks.

Preliminary investigation suggests the death was accidental.

“There is no indication there was any foul play involved with his death,” Lakewold said.

An autopsy was conducted, although the results of the examination and a cause of death are pending, said Lakewold.

Kopas, originally from Wisconsin, has settled with his family in northern Idaho approximately 20 years ago, according to the man’s obituary. It said Kopas loved to camp with friends and that he had a legendary sense of humor.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.