Missing Nampa mom found dead in Boise pond

Heather Davidson

By Elizabeth Laden
BOISE — Heather D. Davidson of Nampa, missing since February 20, was found dead on Monday, April 5 – two days before her 30th birthday. Her body was found floating in a pond off East Parkcenter Boulevard and Mallard behind the River Quarry Apartment complex in east Boise.

In an afternoon news release on April 6, the Ada County Coroner Erwin Sonnenberg’s office states, “An autopsy was performed and no traumatic injuries were found on the body. The cause of death is listed as undetermined at this time. Toxicology results are pending. Further investigation is being conducted by the Boise City Police.”

Sonnenberg told the News there was no certain indication that the woman drowned. The pond is not frozen now, and was not frozen on Feb. 20.

At 10:24 a.m. Monday a man called police dispatch to say he was walking along the Greenbelt and spotted what appeared to be a body floating in the water. Boise Police officers and the Boise Fire Dive Team responded. Police cordoned off the area while they searched for more evidence as to what may have happened. The Boise Fire Dive Team went in the water just before noon and was able to retrieve the body.

Sonnenberg said the body had been in the water for some time. The Greenbelt path through the area was closed for a couple of hours, but has since reopened.

In a news release Tuesday, Lynn Hightower, the Boise Police Department’s Communications Director, stated, "At this time, Boise Police detectives investigating the case say they've found no evidence, including evidence found during the autopsy, that indicates foul play in the woman's death. Officers scoured the area around and near the pond after the body was found yesterday but found no evidence to indicate how or why the woman was in the water."

Davidson was last seen by family members when she left her home around 4 a. m. Saturday Feb. 20, and not long after that, a witness said he saw her fleeing the scene of an accident in Boise.

Back in February, Hightower, said Davidson was driving a 1997 GMC van, and was in an accident with a Ford Escort driven by an adult woman. Davidson, she said, apparently ran a red light and struck the woman's vehicle. The woman was injured and transported to a hospital. Hightower said the injuries were not life threatening. Family members said insurance companies have settled the accident.

Heather has four children. Her husband, Bill “Fish” Davidson, never responded to requests for an interview.

Davidson's brother, Chris Burrup, created a Facebook page, HelpFindHeather, to publicize that she was missing. It grew to almost 700 members. The family distributed posters with Davidson’s photo all over Idaho, in Utah, and in Oregon from Albany to Portland.

The Island Park News is the only media outlet that covered the story from the time Heather went missing — Heather is related to Pat Ridley, a Mack’s Inn resident. The News extends heartfelt sympathy to Heather’s family and friends.
 

This is part of the online edition of Henry's Fork Country.

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