Authorities investigating possible homicide after body of Pocatello man is found
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POCATELLO — The body of a man wanted in connection to a stolen SUV was discovered Thursday and detectives are investigating the case as a possible homicide.
Brandon James Lenker, 36, of Pocatello, was found on the Fort Hall reservation.
Lenker was reported missing earlier this month and was a suspect in the theft of a Toyota FJ Cruiser that had been stolen from 1800 Flandro Drive on Apr. 27. The SUV was later found in the Portneuf River south of Pocatello.
Bannock County Sheriff Lorin Nielsen tells EastIdahoNews.com a person living near Rapid Creek Road north of Inkom contacted authorities after discovering Lenker’s body in the area Thursday morning.
“It looks like foul play was involved,” Nielsen says. “We have detectives out there right now trying to figure out what happened.”
An autopsy will be performed but Nielsen said the death is considered suspicious and is being investigated as a possible homicide.
Christina Graves, an acquaintance who was with Lenker when he disappeared, was found safe in Blackfoot last week.