A 22-year-old Rathdrum man stabbed to death by his girlfriend's father Friday night in what investigators say was self defense is the grandson of Kootenai County Deputy Coroner and Democratic candidate for coroner Jody DeLuca Hissong.

Brandon S. DeLuca initiated the fight with Scott A. Johnson, 47, during an argument with DeLuca's 23-year-old girlfriend in a trailer they shared at the Prairie Schooner Estates, 2215 E. Highway 53 in Rathdrum, according to the Kootenai County Sheriff's Department.

An autopsy is being conducted today at Holy Family Hospital in Spokane, which conducts criminal-related autopsies for Kootenai County, Major Ben Wolfinger said. Investigators will then forward the case to the prosecutor's office for a charging decision.

Johnson has not been arrested.

"It's looking a lot like it was self defense," Wolfinger said.

DeLuca was arguing with his girlfriend when Johnson intervened and the two began brawling, Wolfinger said.

The fight prepared to break up, but DeLuca then lunged at Johnson, and Johnson stabbed DeLuca in the chest, investigators said.

DeLuca collapsed in a nearby trailer. Witnesses rendered first aid, but he was pronounced dead at Kootenai Medical Center. The initial 911 call came in at 7:55 p.m.

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