Woman in custody after St. Maries homicide victim found

A woman has been arrested in connection with an apparent homicide after the remains of a St. Maries man were found at his North Idaho home when he failed to show up for work. Melisa Bates, 26, was taken into custody today near Bayview, Idaho, and is being transported back to St. Maries, said Benewah County Prosecutor Douglas Payne. Bates is suspected of killing a man at his home near St. Maries, Payne said. Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the home early today to see why the man didn’t show up for work and discovered “human remains,” Payne said. Payne declined to say what led investigators to Bates or describe further details of the case because he has not yet received a police report. He said the victim’s name is being withheld while his family is notified of his death.