Suspicious death under investigation

CLARK FORK — The Bonner County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a suspicious death in the Clark Fork area.

In announcing the death shortly after 9 p.m., the sheriff’s officials advised residents to stay indoors and to keep all of their doors and windows locked.

Undersheriff Ror Lakewold said there were few details he could share about the incident, adding that a majority of the Sheriff’s Office’s detectives and several patrol units were in the area gathering information. He said as soon as more information can be released, the Sheriff’s Office will do so.

Residents are asked to report any suspicious activity or people in the area immediately to Bonner County Dispatch 208-265-5525 or 911.

The death is the second suspicious death in the past year in the Clark Fork/Hope area. On April 5, former Hope clerk Shirley Ann Shirley Ramey, 78, was found shot to death in her Trestle Creek home.

Shell casings from a 9-milimeter were found at the scene, according to court documents.

Her former neighbor was accused of perpetrating the killing, but was released from custody after investigators determined he had a verifiable alibi. The man was hospitalized out of state.

Daryl Ramey was cleared as a suspect and burglary was ruled out as a motive because nothing had reportedly been taken, according to court documents.

In addition, a Montana woman was reported missing in Bonner County. While she is listed as a missing persons case, state and federal authorities, however, do not consider Mirissa Serrano to be missing, raising the likelihood that the 27-year-old woman is presumed dead.

The Bonner County Sheriff’s Office sought the public’s help in locating Serrano on Sept. 21. No details about her disappearance were released.