Missing hunter found in Whitman County with hunting dog at his side

The body of a missing hunter was found Wednesday in Whitman County with his hunting dog by his side.

Odessa resident Scott Heimbigner, 59, was reported missing Tuesday after he didn’t return home from a hunting trip in the area of Delong Road about seven miles southeast of St. John, according to a Whitman County Sheriff’s Office news release.

Deputies found Heimbigner’s truck around 10 p.m. Tuesday. Searchers on foot scoured the area. A helicopter search and rescue crew from Fairchild Air Force Base arrived Wednesday morning to help.

Heimbigner was found partially submerged in the Palouse River just after noon Wednesday. It appears that he slipped and fell into the river and died of exposure, the release said. His hunting dog, Tess, was by his side and is expected to recover.