Shooting Death Investigated

Thu., Nov. 13, 1997

From Staff And Wire Reports

Spokane County detectives continued gathering evidence Wednesday from the scene of a fatal shooting near Elk.

A 50-year-old woman was killed Tuesday in what investigators are calling a suspicious death.

Deputies found the body of Marilyn Gilbert inside a fifth-wheel trailer parked off Bridges Road about 3:30 p.m. A rifle was discovered beside her.

A male companion told detectives the woman had killed herself.

An autopsy will be performed today. Investigators hope it will determine if the victim committed suicide, accidentally shot herself or was murdered, sheriff’s Lt. John Simmons said.

, DataTimes

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.