Police Investigating Death of Idaho Lawmaker’s Son in Jail

POCATELLO, Idaho (AP) — An eastern Idaho sheriff says the investigation into the death in jail of the 26-year-old son of an Idaho state lawmaker has been turned over to a special investigative team.

Bannock County Sheriff Lorin Nielsen tells the Idaho State Journal that the tri-county investigative team is taking over with detectives from Bingham and Jefferson counties in charge. Bannock County Jail officials in Pocatello say Jason VanOrden of Pingree died early Friday. He's the son of Rep. Julie VanOrden of Pingree. Nielsen says the death "was consistent with suicide."

Jason VanOrden was arrested last month following a standoff with police in Pocatello in which he told officers that he had a knife and a gun. He has several previous arrests, including driving under the influence and domestic battery.