Showing posts with label montana. Show all posts
Showing posts with label montana. Show all posts

Saturday, April 4, 2026

The Disappearance of Jamee Grossman

 

Jamee Grossman vanished at the age of 24 during March 2012. The young woman lived in Billings, Montana at the time of her disappearance; however, she was reportedly last seen in Lockwood. Jamee has never been seen or heard from again.

March 17th, 2012, was supposed to be a busy day for Jamee. Both Jamee and the father of her youngest child had a scheduled appointment for visitation, but she canceled that morning after saying she was not feeling well. She was also reportedly scheduled to work a shift at a local bar/restaurant that day, but she did not show up, nor did she contact anyone from her job to say she would not be present.

Some reports also state that Jamee and her boyfriend, Frank Hammontree, planned to move into a friend's trailer in Lockwood that day after they had been evicted from their residence in Billings. That move never happened. Instead, Hammontree called Jamee's mother that afternoon and said that Jamee was missing. 

Hammontree stated that he drove Jamee to a convenience store on 1st Avenue North, where the visitation with the young child was supposed to take place. He said that after dropping her off, he watched Jamee get into a blue vehicle and never saw her again. However, surveillance footage from the convenience store seemingly disproves this narrative. According to KULR 8, "an analysis of that convenience store's security cameras showed no Jamee, no [Hammontree], no father, no little girl, no blue vehicle."

After Jamee was reported missing, detectives learned that she attended a birthday party at a residence in Lockwood on the evening of March 16th, 2012. Witnesses stated that Jamee and Hammontree arrived at the party together. Some of the partygoers spent the night and later told police that when they woke up the following morning, the couple was gone. The resident who hosted the party told police that Jamee and Hammontree left the party together around 2:00 AM. The two were reportedly in a good mood at the time; nothing appeared to be amiss between the couple. 

That birthday party is where the last confirmed sighting of Jamee occurred. Although she reportedly used the phone the following morning to cancel her scheduled visitation, it appears that no one, other than Hammontree, saw Jamee after she left the party. This inevitably raises suspicions about Hammontree, especially since the story he told about dropping Jamee off at the convenience store is seemingly untrue. 

Additionally, reports indicate that Jamee and Hammontree had a rocky relationship. According to The Charley Project, Jamee's mother shared that the couple "had a history of fighting and alleged physical abuse." The two also reportedly both struggled with alcohol and drug abuse. Those struggles are what led to their eviction from their residence in Billings.

Hammontree reportedly obtained a lawyer after Jamee's disappearance and declined to give a formal statement to investigators. He was later incarcerated on an unrelated felony weapons charge. On the two-year anniversary of Jamee's disappearance, it was reported that Hammontree was a prime suspect in the case. Now, over 15 years have passed since Jamee went missing, and no charges related to her disappearance have been brought against Hammontree. No other suspects or persons of interest have been publicly identified. 

Despite several searches and theories surrounding the case, Jamee still remains missing today. Her two daughters have had to grow up without their mother. Her other family members have been left without closure. 

The Billings Police Department has investigative agency over her case. If you have any information that could help solve the disappearance of Jamee Grossman, please contact authorities at 406-657-8461.

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

The Disappearance of Sa'Wade Birdinground

Sa'Wade Birdinground has been missing since October 7th, 2024. The young teen was last seen around 11:00 PM the previous night at her family's house in Garryowen, Montana. When Sa'Wade's family went to wake her up the following morning, she was not in her bedroom; nor was she anywhere in or around the residence. Sa'Wade was subsequently reported missing.

Garryowen is a privately-owned town in Big Horn County, Montana. The specific area from which Sa'Wade vanished is a very rural area within the boundaries of the Crow Indian Reservation. Sa'Wade grew up on the reservation; she turned 13 years-old just a little over two weeks before her disappearance. Her family members describe her as a quiet girl with no history of running away. Reports state that Sa'Wade has autism, and that her disappearance is completely out of character.

Widespread searches were conducted for Sa'Wade, by both volunteers and professionals, but no sign of her was found. By October 20th, it was announced that the FBI had joined the search for Sa'Wade. At that time, it was also reported that Sa'Wade's phone, which she left behind, had been "handed off to the FBI for agents to recover recently cleared text messages and phone calls. Investigators are also looking at one additional phone call that may be the last person Sa’wade spoke with before vanishing."

It's unclear what other evidence the phone might have produced. Sa'Wade still remains missing. Authorities have kept quiet about their investigation due to its ongoing status. However, they are still appealing to the public for anyone with information about Sa'Wade's whereabouts to come forward. 

If you have any information that could help solve Sa'Wade's disappearance, please contact the Big Horn County Sheriff's Office at (406) 665-9798 or submit a tip to the FBI.

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Sources:
FBI
KTVQ, (2)
KULR 8

Sunday, April 14, 2024

The Disappearance of Matthew Kalange

Source: nbcmontana.com

Matthew Kalange has been missing since August 16th, 2021. 

The then-25-year-old vanished after his car ran out of gas on Highway 200 in Montana. Matthew's car was later found abandoned on the eastbound side of the highway near Ovando. A note found was on the windshield that read, "RAN OUT OF GAS, PLEASE DO NOT TOW! God Bless, Matt."

Source: nbcmontana.com

Matthew has never been seen or heard from again. Various reports state that he may have tried to walk to Ovando, Lincoln or Helmville.
Matthew did not have a wallet or cell phone with him at the time of his disappearance. This has inevitably made it even more difficult to track his movement after he ran out of gas. 

Shortly after Matthew's disappearance, it was reported that "law enforcement is investigating several different possible scenarios" about what might have caused his disappearance. Years have passed since this report, and it is unknown if investigators have narrowed down to a prominent theory. 

There has otherwise been very little reporting on Matthew's disappearance. He remains missing today. If you have any information that could lead to Matthew's whereabouts, please contact the Missoula Police Department at 406-552-6300 or the Powell County Sheriff at 406-846-2711.

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Sources:
Blackfoot Valley Dispatch
Charley Project
NamUs
NBC Montana

Saturday, September 2, 2023

The Disappearance and Death of Kaysera Stops Pretty Places

 


Kaysera Stops Pretty Places was only 18 years old when she was found deceased in Hardin, Montana on August 29th, 2019. The young girl was a member of the Crow and Northern Cheyenne tribal communities and she lived with her grandmother. Kaysera was last seen by her family members on August 24th, 2019. She was reported missing on August 27th. 

Two days later, a passerby spotted human remains in the backyard of a Hardin home. The remains were later identified as Kaysera. Unfortunately, the discovery of her remains has led to more questions than answers. Authorities have described Kaysera's case as suspicious, but medical examiners were unable to determine an exact cause or manner of death. Her autopsy reportedly did not turn up any evidence of injury or disease. However, asphyxia was not ruled out.

According to a report released in 2021, one of Kaysera's relatives believes that Kaysera was hanging out with a person who purchased alcohol for her shortly before her death. Witnesses in that area reportedly told police that they heard an argument around 3:00 AM involving Kaysera and three other individuals: two young girls, aged 17 and 19, and a 23-year-old man. The argument apparently prompted a nearby homeowner to set off their car alarm, which caused Kaysera and the others to run off in different directions. Kaysera was then last seen running towards the backyard where her body was later found. 

Although Kaysera's manner of death remains undetermined, her family members believe she was murdered. Her family members also feel that local authorities have not put enough investigative efforts into her case. Kaysera's remains were reportedly cremated after the autopsy, so it is impossible for any further examinations of her body to be completed. Her family members stated that she was cremated without their consent. 

Kaysera's case is one of many unsolved cases among Native American women who have gone missing or have been murdered. According to the Justice Department, there are certain areas in the United States where "Native women are murdered at rates more than 10 times the national average." (source) Additionally, cases of missing and murdered Native women tend to go unsolved more often as well. 

Kaysera's family is still hoping to gain answers about her disappearance and death. There is a monetary reward available for anyone with information that could help solve her case. If you have any information, please call (406) 665-9780. 

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Sources:
Justice for Kaysera
NBC News
Uncovered



Thursday, July 2, 2020

The Disappearance of Jermain Charlo


Jermain Charlo vanished during the early morning hours of June 16th, 2018. The 24-year-old was last seen that morning in Missoula, Montana around 1:00 AM. Jermain had been to a few bars in that area during the evening and was captured on surveillance cameras walking through an alley behind a bar called The Barlander. The footage shows Jermain walking east towards the Orange Street Food Farm. Said footage is the last known sighting of Jermain, and she has never been seen or heard from again.

In September 2019, a Facebook page with Jermain's pictures appeared to be actively posting. After investigating the page, it was determined that it was set up by a random woman who was unaware that the pictures she was using were of a missing person. The account was deemed unrelated to Jermain's case.

In 2023, Missoula Police Detective Guy Baker told reporters that he has three theories related to Jermain's disappearance. "One is the possibility that Jermain was sex trafficked; another relates to drug activity; and the third involves someone she previously had a relationship with," the report states. Despite these theories, though, no arrests have been made in the case.

Jermain's disappearance brings more awareness to the large number of unsolved cases involving murdered and missing indigenous people. A study funded by the Department of Justice found that in certain areas, Native American women are 10 times more likely to be murdered than the rest of the population (source). Still, cases involving missing and/or murdered Native Americans seem to be reported far less often than similar cases involving white women or men. 

Jermain's aunt Valenda Morigeau discussed these issues with reporters, and expressed her belief that stereotypes about Native Americans have contributed to the systemic lack of urgency surrounding these cases. Valenda explained, "They think, 'Young, Native American woman going out drinking, oh, she's out having fun, she doesn't want to go home to her responsibilities,' and that's not the case." 

Though Valenda has expressed appreciation for the detectives working Jermain's case, she still feels that this issue is prevalent in the search for her. To learn more about this issue, please visit this website.

Jermain remains missing today. If you have any information that could lead to her whereabouts, please contact Missoula Crime Stoppers at 406-721-4444.

Sunday, September 1, 2019

The Disappearance of Shacaiah 'Blue' Harding

The last known image of Shacaiah 'Blue' Harding, posted to her Facebook page on July 17, 2018--just days before she vanished on July 24, 2018.

Shacaiah 'Blue' Harding was last seen on the afternoon of July 23rd, 2018. The 19 year-old was walking along Buena Vista Road in Billings, Montana at the time. The following day, Blue posted a series of Facebook posts expressing that she was upset about a failed relationship, amongst other things in her life. She posted her final post shortly before midnight, which reads, "All depressing but I'm typing it like it's everything but.. relying on feelings suck." All of Blue's social media activity ceased after that, and she has never been seen or heard from again.

In the months leading up to Blue's disappearance, she was reportedly living on the streets of Billings. Her loved ones state that she was behaving 'erratically' in the months and weeks before she vanished, however she always kept in touch with her family. Finally, on August 20th, 2018, Blue's mother reported her missing after not being able to contact her for almost a month. 

There is unfortunately very little information available about Blue's case. Reports state that she has ties to various areas in Kansas, New Mexico, and Montana, but it is unclear if she has been spotted in said areas. Blue's family members are concerned for her safety and are desperately searching for answers. If you have any information that could lead to her whereabouts, please contact the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office at 406-256-2929.

Sunday, August 18, 2019

The Murder of Matthew Leroy Grant


Matthew Leroy Grant (21) was murdered on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Browning, Montana. He was last seen alive on December 15th, 2016. Matthew’s family members used social media to spread awareness about his disappearance, and they also pleaded for Matthew’s safe return. Unfortunately, on December 31st, 2016, Matthew’s body was found in an alley between the College Homes and South Glacier Homes neighborhoods in Browning.

Matthew’s death was classified as a homicide; however investigators have not released Matthew’s exact cause of death. According to Matthew’s aunt, “he had frozen ice in his hair. Snow covered. His shirt was partially pulled up like someone lifted him out of a vehicle and just tossed him there.” How Matthew ended up in the alley still remains a mystery—no arrests have been made in the case and very little information about the investigation has been released.

A year after Matthew’s murder, the FBI announced a $10,000 reward for any information that leads to the arrest of Matthew’s killer(s). No persons of interest have been publicly identified at this time and the FBI is continuing the investigate the case. If you have any information that could help the investigation, please contact authorities at 833-345-7872.

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

The Disappearance of Ashley Loring Heavyrunner


Ashley Loring Heavyrunner (20) has been missing from Browning, Montana since June 13th, 2017. According to her sister Kimberly Loring, Ashley was last seen that day at Native American Bank, located on Blackfeet Reservation where she lived. Kimberly was on a trip to Africa at the time, and had last spoken to Ashley a week earlier on June 6th. The two sisters spoke about Kimberly’s impending return to her home in Missoula, Montana—located about an hour away from Blackfeet Reservation. Ashley had plans to move out to Missoula once Kimberly returned. However, when Kimberly returned a few weeks later, she was unable to get in touch with Ashley at all. After reaching out to Ashley’s friends, Kimberly learned that nobody had heard from Ashley since early June. After learning this, Ashley’s family members filed a missing persons report with tribal police.

Since Ashley’s disappearance, Kimberly has moved back to the reservation to help search for her sister. She and other family members often spend free time organizing searches in the Rocky Mountains. Kimberly said that law enforcement officials were helpful in the first weeks following Ashley’s disappearance, but now rarely show up when she calls for assistance. This has apparently been an ongoing issue on the reservation; according Blackfeet Tribal Business Council member Carl Kipp, there is a history of unsolved violent crimes on the reservation. Carl said that this is largely in part due to the lack of resources and officers available to investigate.

Ashley’s disappearance has raised questions about justice on tribal lands. Please share this post to raise awareness on this issue and help #FindAshley. There is currently a $5,000 reward for any information about Ashley’s case. If you have any information, please call the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324).

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