Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Royal Arms Apartments Settled

A wrongful death lawsuit against Coeur d’Alene Mayor Steve Widmyer and Coeur d’Alene Resort General Manager Bill Reagan was dismissed months ago after the sides reached an agreement.

According to The Spokesman-Review, 73-year-old Margie Saunders lived alone and died as a result of the low-income complex’s heating deficiencies in November 2014.

In the lawsuit, Saunders son, Stephen Saunders claimed the defendants received multiple complaints from tenants over a seven-month period about the lack of heat and hot water in the apartments. He alleged in the suit that Widmyer, Reagan and the other defendants “failed to provide heat, hot water, other habitable necessities and/or proper maintenance or repair” to Margie Saunders’ apartment.

According to a police report, Saunders died on her 73rd birthday of hypothermia and ethanol intoxication. Her body was found in her living room. A bedroom window was found cracked open as temperatures outside that day sank below 20 degrees, police said.