A man reported the woman slipped on some driftwood and fell in the water on the south side of the Broadway Bridge near the Marriott Hotel. Idaho Falls Police and Idaho Falls Fire Departments responded immediately and began searching the area, as did the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team.
Idaho Falls Police have released the name and a photo of the woman, identified as 23 year old Kayla Davis of Pocatello.
The man who reported the incident was Walker Thomas, 23, also of Pocatello. Davis and Thomas were married earlier this year and recently relocated to Idaho Falls.
Since that night, Wednesday, May 9th, Idaho Falls Police Detectives have been diligently searching for any witnesses whom may have seen the couple at the river that night. They have also been reviewing video footage from surrounding businesses and looking for any other possible leads.
So far, nothing substantial has given them any clues. The incident is an open investigation.
Generation Superintendent Mark Reed of Idaho Falls Power has been working to ensure that the hydropower racks (also known as grates) are swept daily to bring up any debris in the water. The Idaho Falls Power team is also monitoring a live video feed of those areas for any evidence of the woman.
The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue and Dive Team have continued to search using jet skis and boats equipped with sonar each day since the report was made. Today, Sergeant Bryan Lovell of the Sheriff’s Office reported that extra resources have been deployed in anticipation of increased water levels in the coming days. Private search parties have also been out on the river with various watercraft searching for the woman.
On Thursday May 10th, Idaho Falls Police deployed the first official test flight of the department’s unmanned aircraft system (UAS) pilot program, also known as a drone. The IFPD sought and received an Emergency Certificate of Authorization from the FAA, which allowed the IFPD to fly the drone for the purpose of the search only and for a period of two hours.
Detectives are asking anyone who may have seen the couple at the river that night, or if anyone has seen the woman since, to please contact police immediately at (208) 529-1200.
Kayla Davis is approximately 5 feet, 8 inches tall, has blonde hair, green eyes and sometimes wears glasses.
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Idaho Falls Police Department Contact:
Holly Cook
Public Information Officer
Office: (208) 612-8655
Cell: (208) 589-3091
[email protected]
About Idaho Falls Police Department: The Idaho Falls Police Department is united in a spirit of teamwork to be an open, courteous and community-minded organization devoted to quality public service. We are dedicated to live by values which reflect a genuine desire to care for the safety and well-being of the public we serve as well as the professionals who provide that service. In partnership with the people of Idaho Falls, the IFPD’s mission is to create an environment free from crime and the fear of crime. The core values of the Idaho Falls Police Department are: (1) Integrity (2) Honor (3) Trust (4) and Excellence. Learn more on our website.