JACKSON HOLE, WYO – A coroner’s inquest has been called in the death of Anthony Birkholtz, who died unexpectedly in January at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center’s Intensive Care Unit after a brief coma. Teton County coroner Dr. Brent Blue called the inquest. His office is not clear how Birkholz died.
Birkholz was found unresponsive by friends in the early morning of January 17, 2017. By the next day, the 32-year-old was pronounced dead by the Bonneville, Idaho coroner of natural causes. A more definitive cause of death was never relayed to press.
Blue told Buckrail the incident was “not a natural death,” and key witnesses will be called at the inquest who will testify, including EMS personnel, emergency room doctors, and responding police officers. Blue could not reveal more as to what he believes may have happened.
The inquest is scheduled for Tuesday, May 16, at the Federal Court House at 1 pm, and again on Wednesday, May 17 at 9 am.
Birkholz was a respected filmmaker and artist who had moved to the valley in 2006. A memorial service in late January at the Pink Garter Theatre drew some 200 friends and relatives.
