Rape Suspect Apparently Commits Suicide

Thu., Sept. 3, 1998

From Staff Reports

Bonner and Boundary County detectives are investigating a kidnapping and rape that ended in an apparent suicide Tuesday morning.

Joseph Sanchez, 27, of Sandpoint, was discovered hanging from a tree by sheriff’s deputies in rural Boundary County, according to Bonner County officials.

Sanchez allegedly made advances toward the 15-year-old daughter of his live-in girlfriend Monday evening in Sandpoint, and threatened the two with a knife, according to Lt. John Valdez of the Bonner County Sheriff’s Department.

He then locked his girlfriend in the basement and raped the daughter, Valdez said. He kidnapped the daughter and raped her again on his way to Boundary County, the victim told police.

When he stopped again, he told the girl to go with him into the woods. When she refused, he told her he was planning to kill himself, Valdez said.

The girl left and contacted Boundary County authorities, who discovered Sanchez’s body hanging in the woods near where she left him.

The witnesses said Sanchez had told them he was on methamphetamines. The autopsy will include a drug test, Valdez said.

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