One of two missing women survives

By Terry Murry on Monday, November 8th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

KOOTENAI COUNTY, Idaho – The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office reported Friday that it had located two missing women from Pendleton. The mother was deceased and the daughter was found inside their car

“It was a tragedy,” Pendleton Police Chief Charles Byram said.

The missing persons notice had been issued Wednesday as Kae Hunter and her daughter Heidi Jo were believed to be driving to Utah but became lost. A hunter came across Kae Hunter’s remains in the area of Solitaire Saddle on the Panhandle National Forest.

A further search located Heidi Jo Turner inside the car that was broken down. Sheriff’s deputies said it appeared Kae Turner walked out to get help and died as a result of exposure to the elements.

“Initial beliefs are the two females got confused while following a GPS unit and ended up in the national forest,” a KCSO news release stated. “The incident is still under investigation, but at this time it does not appear to be suspicious in nature.”

Kae Hunter was 84 years old. Her daughter is 58.