Police Identify Man Found Dead

A man found dead in Sand Creek last week drowned over the Fourth of July weekend, Bonner County Coroner Dale Coffelt said Monday.

James Anderson Melton, 28, was found late Thursday afternoon by boaters near the Sandpoint Marina, where Sand Creek empties into Lake Pend Oreille.

Melton, who was living in Post Falls, was last seen in the City Beach area early in the morning of July 2.

Coffelt said the estimated time of death was 1:30 a.m. or 2 a.m. Sunday, July 2. Witnesses said Melton had been drinking that night. Results of toxicology tests are pending.

The autopsy report found no trauma or apparent injuries, and police do not suspect foul play. The case is still under investigation, said Sandpoint Police Chief Mark Lockwood.

Melton came to Sandpoint with a carnival to help it set up for the Fourth of July festivities at City Beach. He had helped tear the carnival down in Newport, Wash., Coffelt said.

Melton was born in Libby, Mont. His mother reported him missing on July 5 to Post Falls Police. Melton’s girlfriend signed the missing person’s report on July 6, Coffelt said.

Melton is survived by his parents, Elizabeth and Frankie Melton of Naples, Idaho; sisters Bonna Burkett of Libby and Annette Reeves of New York; and three children, Tracy Lynn, James Anderson Jr. and Isaac, who all live in Nevada.