Stabbing victim grandson of candidate

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 was conducted Monday at Providence Holy Family Hospital in Spokane, which conducts criminal-related autopsies for Kootenai County, Maj. Ben Wolfinger said. The Kootenai County prosecutor’s office will decide on possible charges.

Johnson has not been arrested.

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