A 41-year old man was found dead just south of Great Falls on Sunday, and the death is being investigated as a possible homicide.
Officers responded to a residence at 5405 Lower River Road for a report of a suicide on Sunday at about 4:47 p.m.
During the initial stages of the investigation, Deputies felt that the death was not a suicide and deemed the scene and circumstances suspicious.
The initial investigation shows that the victim may have been stabbed.
Detectives from the Cascade County Sheriff’s Office were called in to investigate.
A detective from the Great Falls Police Department also responded with the new FARO crime scene scanner.
The Cascade County Sheriff’s Office is "actively working this case as a homicide," according to Sheriff Bob Edwards.
Sheriff Edwards says that a person of interest has been contacted and is currently in custody on unrelated charges. The name of the person has not yet been released.
The body of the victim – identified at this point only as a 41-year old man – will be taken for autopsy at the Montana State Crime lab in Missoula. The name of the victim has not yet been released, pending notification of family members.
There is no word yet on whether the person who died lived at the residence, or was a visitor.
Sheriff Edwards says that he does not believe there is a threat to the community.
We will update you as we get more information.
(UPDATE, March 7th) Cascade County Sheriff Bob Edwards said in an email:
I just wanted to inform all that we have no new information to release at this time regarding our homicide investigation. We are currently working the case and the victim is at the Montana State Crime Lab for autopsy. I will release the name when my investigators confirm that we have notified all of the victims family.
(UPDATE, March 8th) Steven Fletcher has been identified as the man who was found dead on Sunday.
Cascade County Sheriff/Coroner Bob Edwards released the name on Wednesday morning.
Edwards says that Fletcher was 41 years old.
A GoFundMe page has been created to help the Fletcher family.
The page states: "On Saturday march 5th we lost someone special to us. He left behind 3 sons, a daughter and a grandson. We are trying to raise money for funeral costs and to help with things his children may need. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much."
Click here if you would like to help.
We will update you as we get more information.
