PRAIRIE, ID – The Elmore County Sheriff’s Office has reclassified the 2021 death of Melissa Landers as a homicide and arrested two individuals in connection with the case, following years of investigation and a recent forensic breakthrough.

On July 10, 2021, deputies responded to a report of a suspected suicide at a rural residence on South Landers Lane in Prairie. Melissa Landers was found deceased at the scene. Although initially treated as a suicide, authorities noted suspicious circumstances and launched an in-depth investigation.

After years of interviews, forensic testing, and consultation with medical experts, a forensic pathology report released in May 2025 concluded that the injury causing Landers’ death could not have been self-inflicted under the conditions observed. Based on that conclusion, along with other evidence gathered during the investigation, officials reclassified the case as a homicide.

Arrest warrants were issued for Lee Landers and Jocelynn Landers, who were taken into custody without incident. The case is now under review by the Elmore County Prosecutor’s Office.

Sheriff Mike Hollinshead thanked the Idaho State Police, the FBI, the Rocky Mountain Information Network, the Billings Police Department, and regional forensic specialists for their assistance in the case.

The investigation remains active, and no additional details have been released. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.