Update: Murder victim identified, 2nd death investigated as suicide
Update 7-25-2016 1:50 p.m: Bannock County Sheriff Lorin Nielsen has confirmed the identity of the second man found dead at the home on Jefferson Avenue. Sheriff Nielsen says the man is 45-year-old John Edward Kautz.
At this time Kautz’s death is being investigated as a suicide. The sheriff’s office does not believe his death is related to the murder investigation.
Nielsen said forensics tried to clear the house when they found a door to the basement. They went in and found Kautz sleeping. Nielsen said police startled the man, at which point he grabbed a knife and began “ranting and raving.”
Police backed out of the basement and called in SWAT. In order to secure the basement, SWAT drilled a hole in the floor and put a camera in the hole to be able to see Kautz. When they did this, they saw Kautz had hung himself.
Nielsen said Kautz did have an outstanding bench warrant for aggravated battery.
His death is still being investigated.
Update 7-25-2016 12:50 p.m: The name of a murder victim in Pocatello has been released. Pocatello Police have identified the dead man as 31-year-old Ronald Michael Christensen. A 2nd death that occurred at the home is still being investigated.
UPDATE 4:45 p.m: Pocatello Police have arrested a 42-year-old woman for the death of one person involved in a disturbance at 565 Jefferson Avenue.
Kristina May Juarez was arrested at 3:15 p.m. Friday at 363 W. Griffith Road in Pocatello and charged with 2nd degree murder as part of a joint investigation between the Pocatello Police Department and Bannock County Sheriff’s Office.
Police say there are no further suspects or safety concerns for the community. The investigation is continuing.
The name of the victims have not been released until the family have been notified.
ORIGINAL STORY:
Pocatello police said they are investigating the death of two individuals.
The police are not saying much at this time, but reported that they got a call in at 10:30 p.m. Thursday night for a disturbance on Jefferson Street. The disturbance, they said resulted in two deaths.
They said the investigation is on-going and no further information will be available at this time.
