A woman has been identified following her tragic death on Tuesday night after being rescued from a waterway in Boise Bench.
Authorities in Boise reported that a woman was discovered “fully submerged” in the Ridenbaugh Canal close to the 2900 block of West Rose Hill Street shortly after 8 p.m., according to a Thursday announcement from the Ada County Coroner’s Office.
Alyssa Bistline, 30, from Boise, has been identified by the coroner as the victim.
Just before 8 p.m. Tuesday, a bystander made a 911 call that prompted a response from both the Boise police and fire departments, according to the Boise Police Department. Bistline was declared deceased at 8:43 p.m. in the emergency department of Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Centre, according to the coroner’s office.
The determination of the cause and manner of death remains “pending.”
Bistline has shared her experiences of breaking free from a dominating, polygamous sect of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints known as Short Creek during her teenage years. In a 2015 feature by Teen Vogue, Bistline revealed that she faced restrictions on wearing red, cutting her hair, and consuming refined sugar, among various other regulations.
She recounted a scenario where women were compelled to wed the individuals selected by leaders, and the funds of members were seized.
Following her escape, she enrolled at Boise State University.
“There is a good life out here,” Bistline told Teen Vogue. “The world is one million times better than I could have imagined. And for those who are still in there and are considering leaving, I’m here for you.”
On Wednesday, Boise police spokesperson Haley Williams reported that the investigation is ongoing to determine the circumstances that led Bistline to enter the water.
Authorities reported that early indications suggested a potential second victim was located in the canal; however, following a thorough search, no additional individuals were discovered.
