Friday, October 31, 2008

Bellevue man’s death ruled suicide

Determination follows autopsy and sheriff’s investigation

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By TERRY SMITH
Express Staff Writer

The Blaine County Sheriff's Office has determined that a Bellevue man whose body was found on Sunday in the Elkhorn foothills died of "an apparent suicide from a single gunshot wound to the chest."

An autopsy was conducted in Boise on Tuesday on the body of 53-year-old Patrick Schwab. Blaine County Coroner Russell Mikel said the wound was caused by a shotgun.

A press release from the sheriff's office states that the "apparent suicide" determination was "based upon the findings of the autopsy and what detectives discovered at the scene."

Schwab's body as found Sunday afternoon in Parker Gulch in the Elkhorn foothills following a two-day search by Blaine County Search and Rescue and friends of Schwab's family. He was reported missing Saturday after his vehicle was found unattended at a home in Parker Gulch. Schwab was property manager at the home and occasionally parked his vehicle there to go hunting.

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He was reportedly hunting sage grouse in the area on Friday. His body was discovered in a thick stand of willows shortly after 1 p.m. on Sunday about half a mile from his vehicle.

A memorial service was held Thursday afternoon at St. Charles Catholic Church in Hailey. The service was followed by a Celebration of Life at Mahoney's Bar and Grill in Bellevue. In lieu of flowers, donations are being accepted for Schwab's family at any U.S. Bank.