UPDATE: 10:20 a.m. - November 5, 2025

THOMPSON FALLS — New information has been released about a body that was found in Sanders County this week.

The Sanders County Sheriff's Office reports a local hunter discovered a body in the Cooper Gulch area shortly after 11:15 a.m. on Tuesday.

A deputy responded to the scene and found the body of a middle-aged man near a small camp approximately 2½ miles up Cooper Gulch Road from Montana Secondary Highway 471.

MTN News

The victim has been identified as a 45-year-old John Tillotson of Victor, Idaho.

According to a news release, the initial investigation indicates that Tillotson died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Tillotson's body was taken to Missoula, where an autopsy will be performed.

(first report: 3:34 p.m. - November 4, 2025)

THO

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