Sheriff’s office investigating death of SUV theft suspect

Bannock County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a man wanted in connection to an SUV that was stolen in April.

According to Sheriff Lorin Nielson the body of Brandon James Lenker, 36, was found Thursday morning on the Fort Hall Reservation. Sheriff Nielson says they are investigating the death as a possible homicide.

Lenker has been missing since the beginning of May and was the primary suspect in the theft of a Toyota Cruiser that was stolen on April 27. The vehicle was later found in the Portneuf River.

An autopsy will be performed but the sheriff’s office is considering the death as suspicious and will be investigating it as a homicide.