Investigators say evidence suggests Pend Oreille County teen’s death was homicide

Investigators say a Pend Oreille County teen reported missing last month appears to have been killed in a homicide.

After family reported 19-year-old Jason Fox missing last month, law enforcement agencies began investigating only to discover Fox’s remains on Sunday.

Fox was reported missing on Sept. 16 from Newport, the Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Office said. Newport city police began to investigate but quickly called in the Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Office. Multiple agencies, including the Washington State Patrol, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, and Lincoln County, Montana Sheriff’s Office, were called in to assist.

Evidence gathered during the investigation thus far has led police to consider Fox’s death a homicide, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Fox’s father Michael sent KHQ a statement that said in part, “The loss of Jason is a devastating blow to our family. We fervently hoped for a different outcome. We would like to thank everyone who helped to bring him home.”

Michael continued to ask the public to give police any information they might have related to his son’s case.

“This is not over for us or our community yet though, arrests have not been made, the animals who did this are roaming free when they should be caged for life,” the statement reads. “Jason deserves justice, this will never be over for us until that happens.“

Those with information related to Fox’s disappearance or death are asked to contact the Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Office at (509) 447-3151.