Son charged in woman’s death

SANDPOINT — A 57-year-old Arizona man was taken into custody Wednesday by Sandpoint Police in connection to the suspicious death of his 86-year-old mother at the Best Western Edgewater Hotel in downtown Sandpoint.

Police were called to the hotel at about 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday regarding the death of an 86-year-old woman.

Gerald Eggert, 57, and his mother Mavis Eggert, 86, had been staying at the hotel for the last few days. A family friend was with the Eggerts until about 2 p.m. Wednesday.

At around 6 p.m. that friend got what the affidavit describes as a frantic call from Gerald Eggert where he is alleged to have said “I am not that type of person” and “I think I strangled my mom.”

The friend called the police, who responded to the hotel and found the woman deceased in her room. They deemed the death to be suspicious and began collecting evidence, according to court documents.

Bonner County Coroner Robert Beers did a preliminary examination and found that the victim had injuries consistent with strangulation, according to court documents.

Officer Michael Aerni said in the affidavit that Gerald Eggert had several injuries that appeared to be defensive wounds, including wounds to both eyes, his right cheek, and the right side of his neck.

Aerni said the defensive wounds as well as the comment from the witness who alleged they heard Gerald Eggert say he may have strangled his mother led to a decision to arrest the man for the murder of Mavis Eggert.

Gerald Eggert has been charged with second-degree murder. His initial appearance was Thursday and his review hearing is scheduled Oct. 19. As of yet, no plea has been entered.

The victim and suspect were both from Arizona and in the area visiting friends.

Notification of immediate family is underway and further information will be released when notification is completed, and autopsy results are available.