Naples man's death ruled accidental

The Sunday death of an local Idaho National Guardsman, who earned a Purple Heart while serving two tours in Iraq, has been ruled accidental, according to Boundary County Coroner Mick Mellett.

Jonathan Pemp, 25, of Naples died from aspiration, Mellett said without going into details.

Rumors surrounding Pemp’s involvement in a fight and a car accident had nothing to do with his death, said Boundary County Sheriff Chief Deputy Rich Stephens.

Pemp was found unconscious at about 5:30 a.m. by his live-in girlfriend at their home on Highland Flats Road, Stephens said. Pemp was taken to Boundary Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Pemp the night before had attended a party at the snowmobile park on Highlands Flats Road, Stephens said.

“He left early in the morning and got home,” he said. “A household member, I believe a girlfriend, found him not breathing. They tried to resuscitate him.”

While at the party, it was rumored that Pemp had gotten into a fight. An autopsy performed Monday in Spokane, Wash., showed no life-threatening injuries, Stephens said.

While driving home from the party, Pemp had reportedly hit a fire hydrant, Stephens said. The accident was considered minor.