Havre man wants answers to brother's four-year-old murder

Havre native Kendall Quinnell's body was found Sept. 8, 2013, in Mullan, Idaho, and more than four years later police are still investigating his death while family members remain mystified as to what is taking so long.

Kendall Quinnell's brother, Clayton Quinnell of Havre, said he wants to know why police still haven't arrested or charged anyone. Quinnell said he is privy to information that suggests police know who killed his brother.

Lt. Aaron Wittmer of the Havre Police Department, who has, at times, helped Idaho State Police on the investigation, said he, too, is a little surprised charges in the Quinnell murder haven't been pressed.

"We know three individuals are involved," Wittmer said.

One of the suspects, a man with local ties who is now in the Montana State Prison, has "a pile of circumstantial evidence" against him, Wittmer said. It may be that investigators are hoping to flush out the third person before charging the other two, Wittmer added. There is surveillance video of three individuals somewhere in Montana, Wittmer said, that ties all three to Quinnell's murder.

Shoshone County Prosecuting Attorney Keisha Oxendine confirmed Monday that the investigation is still ongoing and no one has been charged.

"This matter is presently the subject of an ongoing and active investigation. As a result, no information can be released at this time. The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney will meet with Mr. Quinnell's family prior to a final charging decision being made, and a press release will be issued as soon as charges are filed," she said in an email.

Clayton Quinnell said Thursday that neither he, nor anyone in his family, has received much information from Idaho State police or the Shoshone County prosecutor's office since the investigation began.

"'It's an open investigation,' that's all we get," he said.

Oxendine said she could not say why the investigation is taking so long because it may "disclose investigative techniques and compromise the present investigation." Oxendine added that anyone with information about the Quinnell case is encouraged to call Idaho State Police Investigations Unit at 208-209-8670.

Idaho State Police investigator Paul Burger of the Coeur d'Alene office did not return requests for information on the Kendall Quinnell murder.

Clayton Quinnell said his brother's death may have been related to his being an informant for the Safe Trails Task Force. His brother was a drifter, and had quite a few run-ins with the law, he said.

Wittmer, who is part of the Task Force, said Kendall Quinnell was an informant at one time. As to Kendall Quinnell's murder, Wittmer said it may have well been a matter of getting in with bad company.

"I think he just got got involved with the wrong dudes," Wittmer said.