GUILTY WA - Kimberly Vezina, 27, dies of overdose, dumped in ID lake, 4 Jan 2016

Authorities said it is not exactly clear what lead to her death. Officials are not commenting on how long it appeared Vezina had been in the water or if there were any obvious signs of trauma on her body.

Investigators did not announce any of this until three days after her body had been found. Authorities said they were not able to identify her right away and they had to get in touch with her family.

"We had discussed getting the information out sooner, but the detectives were unsure at that time who she was. And we're hoping to have more leads and some more investigation done," said Lt. Miller.

Officials said her death is listed as "suspicious" because authorities do not have much in terms of answers. Investigators have not ruled out suicide. Officials said in any death, including suicide, they investigate to the fullest extent.

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The Kootenai County Coroner’s report said Vezina died of combined drug toxicity.

Detectives with the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office said Vezina most likely died in Washington and was transported to Idaho and dumped in the lake to hide what happened. Officials said they have identified a person of interest but are not releasing any more information as of Tuesday.

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A 29-year-old Spokane Valley woman who helped dump a body into Lake Coeur d'Alene at Fuller's Bay two years ago will attend a prison rider program before she is given a chance at probation.

Lacy N. Drake pleaded guilty in May to failing to notify authorities of the death of 27-year-old Kimberly Sue Vezina, who had died from a drug overdose and whose body was found in November 2015 wrapped in a tarp floating near the south end of Lake Coeur d’Alene. Another charge, destruction of evidence, was dismissed.

Drake was sentenced a week ago in Coeur d’Alene to 10 years in prison with five of those years fixed, but District Judge John T. Mitchell retained jurisdiction after attorneys asked for a leaner sentence.

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Laura L. Akins was arrested in August 2016, and Drake was arrested in September last year. Both women were charged with failing to notify authorities of Vezina’s death, and with felony burglary.

Burglary charges, as well as a charge of destroying evidence, against Drake were dismissed. The failing to notify charge against Akins was dropped by prosecutors.

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