The killer left no evidence behind, and to this day, her death remains a mystery. This leaves little doubt that the person seen leaving is involved. Obviously, the city of Bozeman is named after him. A short while later, authorities found a bloody coat hanger, which was hypothesized to have restrained Father Kerrigan. Among the most notorious and frightening Montana murders is the case of Miranda Fenner, who was 18 when she was killed at the video store she worked at in 1998. Moreover, the rate of property crime in Stevensville; burglary, larceny ($50 or more), grand theft auto, and arson; is 9 per 1,000 residents. Then theres Malta, Montana. SCHOOLS Stevensville public schools spend $7,987 per student. RoadSnacks is reader-supported. The modern-day version of the town has a relatively low unemployment rate of 4.9%. Other than being one of the more haunted states, too, its also got one of the highest UFO sighting rates in the country! Apparently, the soil is contaminated, and there have been major medical concerns as a result. Violent Crime Comparison (per 1,000 residents), Property Crime Comparison (per 1,000 residents). However, one fact which has recently come to light may hold an important clue: in 2015, Kerrigan came posthumously under investigation for sexual misconduct, which might suggest a motive in his murder. Indeed, Montanas murders are few, and most of them are, thankfully, solved relatively easily. In 2020, Montana had the 21st lowest murder rate in the United States. =Our Mission= To provide safety, security, and support to the citizens of Stevensville through professional and compassionate law enforcement services. Stevensville is the oldest settlement in Montana and the Mission is one of those structures. The violent crime rate in Stevensville is 428.6 per 100,000 people. Like its name suggestions, Great Falls sits near a series of waterfalls. This is possible by associating the 9.4 million reported crimes in the U.S, including over 2 million geocoded point locations. Late one evening in 1984, Father John Kerrigan, days after arriving at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ronan, Montana, where he was to be the new priest, went to the local bakery. (MARCH 10, 2020) A man was arrested in Missoula in connection with a double homicide that happened in the Stevensville area at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday. The population was 1,553 at the 2000 census. Great Bend is noteworthy for a number of U.S. . At the time of the murders, in 2001, he had been living in Nampa, Idaho, a city near Boise, roughly 375 miles away. There also seemed to be no sign of a sexual assault taking place before or after the women were killed. The average school expenditure in the U.S. is $12,383. He has been featured in over 500 publications as an expert in real estate and as an authority on real estate trends. Its a story that seems too fantastic to be true, except the man revealed this encounter on his death bed, adding an extra layer of spookiness to the whole ordeal. These days, the town, located in the western part of the state, near the Idaho border, suffers from a significant poverty problem. 5194 392 - 1st Avenue East North Kalispell MT 59901 Tel: (406) 257-3711 Fax: (406) 257-3722 Email: btanko@tanko.law.com Web: www.tankolaw.com [] See the Story. It is known that the witness description of the man they spoke to is eerily similar to that of the Florence suspect. Success! 32. And yet, as the case is relatively recent at only 35 years old, there is a good chance that someone alive knows what happened to Dexter Stefonek. Some thought it may have been the vengeful act of a Confederate soldier bearing a hateful grudge, or 1867s most popular scapegoat, the Blackfeet. Compare Stevensville crime data to other cities, states, and neighborhoods in the U.S. on NeighborhoodScout. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. HAMILTON, Mont. It ranks as the 3rd worst place to live in Montana for 2021. State & Regional. Still, the Montana version of Malta isnt without its beguiling elements as well. You dont need a sociologist to tell you that poverty plays a role in this. Perhaps they need to lay down the law more aggressively out here. Stevensville Public School, 300 Park Street, Stevensville, MT 59870, Phone: (406) 777-5646, Fax: (406) 258-1247, Email: Population: 2,182Rank Last Year: 7 (Up 4)Median Home Value: $182,400Unemployment Rate: 3.9%More on Stevensville: Data|Photos. For instance, the town hosts the annual Chokecherry Festival. If youre looking at areas in Montana with the worst economic situations, where theres higher than average crime, and not a lot to do, this is an accurate list. Stevensville Flanked by the Bitterroot and Sapphire mountains, the small, historic town of Stevensville in the Bitterroot Valley offers beautiful views and outdoor recreation. Whittecars bank records reflected several large cash deposits and withdrawals. . He had been on the Bozeman Trail on the way to Fort Kearny in April, 1867, when, according to his travelling companion, Thomas Cover, several Native-Americans approached them. These homicides are definitely creepy, and so are these other unsolved mysteries in Montana.. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. For Stevensville, we found that the violent crime rate is one of the highest in the nation, across communities of all sizes (both large and small). The town itself stands in the northwest part of the state, about a 40-minute drive south of the Canadian border. Stevensville, Montana Residents of historic Stevensville, Montana proudly welcome you to the place "where Montana began." Located in Ravalli County after renaissance man Father Anthony Ravalli, this beautiful town has seamlessly merged frontier life, the Jesuit faith, and Salish Indian culture. John Bozeman, namesake for the trail and, later, town in Southwest Montana, was many things: a handsome Southern gentleman, unsuccessful business man, successful womanizer, and recipient of a fatal bullet. The result? Tap into Non-Stop News from Montana Right Now! There was also evidence that the murders were not committed in a rage, but were methodically considered, since fingerprints had been wiped off of the ax handle, and the killer had cleaned his hands (as police assumed it was a man) in a wash basin at the scene. What are your thoughts on this rather perplexing case? His delivery wallet was stolen, and no suspects were ever charged. On the afternoon of September 4th, 2002, a customer was pulling into the parking lot of the Dolly Madison Cake-Discount Bakery, located at 1004 Harrison Street. STEVENSVILLE- A man has been arrested for Deliberate Homicide after a shooting in Stevensville early Christmas morning. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. This list is a scientific analysis based on real data and is completely unbiased. She parked, and got out of her car, making her way to the back door of the Hair Gallery - which she knew as the main entrance, this would later make the unknown figures use of the front door more conspicuous. Stevensville Crime Watch promotes community safety one neighborhood at a time. Park County woman killed after being run over in the area of Divide Creek Rd. By Associated Press July 16, 2020. 1 in 8549% lower than the US average. The City-Data.com crime index weighs serious crimes and violent crimes more heavily. HAMILTON - A judge has sentenced a western Montana man to life in prison after he pleaded guilty to fatally shooting his mother and the mother of his two . John Bozeman was a pioneer, best known for establishing the Bozeman Trail through Wyoming Territory into the gold fields of southwestern Montana Territory in the early 1860s. Andrew Kyle Whittecar, 37, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, prohibited person in possession of a firearm and money laundering. However, while people here might hack out a living to a certain extent, the economic outlook here is pretty bleak. Restaurants. 7,043,501 and 7,680,859. Highways that intersect within it, including Route 56, which runs throughout Great Bend itself. The trooper developed reasonable suspicion that Whittecar was trafficking drugs and searched the vehicle. If you have an emergency before or after these hours please contact 911.. You may also REPORT A CRIME at the following links: After analyzing 32 of the states most populous cities (over 2,100 people), we came up with this list as the 10 worst places to live in the state of Montana:The 10 Worst Places To Live In Montana For 2021PolsonHardinStevensvilleCut BankMaltaHamiltonWolf PointLewistownLibbyGreat Falls. Inside the container were two pill presses, along with dyes, chemicals and other substances indicating the production of counterfeit pills consistent with those found in the Minnesota traffic stop. Whittecar faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least four years of supervised release on the most serious crime. Montana is a beautiful place, and thankfully, its mostly peaceful. Best nearby. Crime rates on the map are weighted by the type and severity of the crime. All that anyone knew was that Stefonek disappeared, his car was found at the rest area, burned. This analysis applies to Stevensville's . Montana is one of those places thats just made to have ghost stories thanks to its wild west past. Investigators would later admit that these cases had been linked but would not say in what way and have not elaborated on it since. There also was a jar containing 240 grams of fentanyl and a plastic baggie containing another 161 grams of fentanyl. In April 2008 it was alleged in a 15 page indictment that Lincoln Benavides was the leader of a drug distribution ring that employed Brian Weber as an enforcer and that both were responsible for multiple assaults, drug offences and murder, this murder charge related to the triple Homicide in the Florence Hair Salon in 2001. Later that evening, a delivery man entered the bakery through a back door. Stevensville is located in Ravalli County, MT.The population is 2,280, making Stevensville the 2nd largest city in Ravalli County. Importantly, when you compare Stevensville to other communities of similar population, then Stevensville crime rate (violent and property crimes combined) is quite a bit higher than average. When you click through real estate links on our site, we earn an affiliate commission. Additionally, you have a 1 in 262 chance of being the victim of an attack, rape or outright murdered when youre within Hamilton city limits. Whittecar was last employed in 2018 and did not have any apparent business accounts reflecting self-employment. Hospice in Stevensville, Montana. Creamery Antiques Mall 7 Antique Shops Shopping Malls If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. We dont think its a stretch to assume that people like the following things: The data comes from the Censuss most recent American Community Survey and from the FBI Uniform Crime Report. If you happen to know anything, please call the Dawson County Sheriff Department at (406) 377-5291. Squint and the name Polson looks a lot like poison. That could adequately describe the towns economy, which supports a median income of just $37,054 and an unemployment rate of 8.2%. Some believe that due to these features that this man might have actually been a woman masquerading as a man, but that is mainly chalked up to local gossip and has never been given any credit by the Authorities. Forty-eight years before Montana became the nation's 41st state, Stevensville was settled by Jesuit Missionaries at the request of the . The case as put forward by the prosecution wasnt considered to be very strong, with the indictment alleging the murders were part of collection of a drug debt but not elaborating on this anymore. DEA forensic chemists determined that the items and equipment seized included precursors required for fentanyl production. Weve put together a shortlist of some of the most famous murders in Montana; each one will send chills down your spine! Site by Linda Lancaster at Bitterroot Web Designs, Wild & Weird Wednesdays with Science Officer Lisa, Yarn, Darns & Needle Charms: Knit & Crochet Club, GFWC Bitterroot Womans Club Monthly Meeting, Linda Massa Youth Home Bitterroots Finest Hour Gala, DIY Zines: Design, create & produce your own publication, Women Only Introduction to Defensive Handguns, Stevensville PDs 2nd Annual Chili Cookoff/Fundraiser, Ravalli County Economic Development Authority. Follows all the Montana tap room regulations so is only open certain hours for tastings. (The US average is 22.7) Stevensville property crime is 24.3. - A woman died after a losing control of a vehicle on an icy road and crashing near Stevensville Monday morning. The crime rate in Stevensville is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 15 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. GNIS feature ID. Among the most notorious and frightening Montana murders is the case of Miranda Fenner, who was 18 when she was killed at the video store she worked at in 1998. STEVENSVILLE - Fort Owen State Park near Stevensville opens for the season on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. This includes the annual Wild Horse Stampede, considered the Grandaddy of Montana Rodeos.. Unemployment in Stevensville is low and the median home sales price Get the latest headlines on local sports! Later evidence shed doubt on whether the same killer could have committed both crimes. There he spoke to several acquaintances, members of his congregation. This salon, named the Hair Gallery, was located off of Highway 93, in the small town of Florence, Montana. Where are these places you wonder? Both had been killed with an ax. Stevensville Rental Pricing. Population: 2,090Rank Last Year: 5 (No Change)Median Home Value: $127,200Unemployment Rate: 8.3%More on Malta: Data|Photos. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Stevensville MT Real Estate & Homes For Sale 70 Agent listings 5 Other listings Sort: Homes for You 1103 Park Ln, Stevensville, MT 59870 ENGEL & VOLKERS WF STEVENSVILL, Heidi Stahl $379,000 3 bds 2 ba 1,440 sqft - Active 1 day on Zillow 79 Big Bear Rd, Stevensville, MT 59870 RISE REALTY MONTANA, Jason Baker $1,950,000 4 bds 4 ba 3,168 sqft - Active This is about average for all cities and towns in America of all population sizes. Seemingly concerned about Native attacks, Story sent Spanish Joe, his colorfully named employee, to investigate the site. Next, we averaged the rankings into one Worst Place To Live Score. She was also found in the utility closet. After that, he was never seen, alive or dead, ever again. Disgraced lawyer Alex Murdaugh found guilty of murder in 2021 shootings of his wife, son. The search engine finds the neighborhoods that are the optimum fit to the set of criteria you choose. The one entry that receives the most votes from our panel of judges will be selected to "flip the switch" at Downtown Stevensville's Parade of Lights at Third and Main Streets Friday, Dec. 3rd. Among the most notorious and, Montana has one of the lowest murder rates in the country! The road became known as The Frenchwomans Road, after Madame Guyot, who offered beds and meals for gold dust. Additionally, the area around Libby has been dealing with a Superfund clean up for the last 15 years. 0.1 mi $$ - $$$ Italian Vegetarian Friendly. In the relatively-small community of Billings in the first quarter of the 20th century, it is extremely unlikely that someone could commit a crime of that savagery without being detected. Plus, in Montana terms, the crime rate is really high. If thats the case, theres still a modicum of hope that Dexter and his family will see justice yet. Before they could even step inside, the customer found a woman lying dead just inside the doorway and immediately used the phone inside to call 911, police would discover two more women dead in the back room of the premises after they had arrived and begun to search. Every state has their unsolved murders, of which they are justifiably proud (or is it ashamed? Whittecar was detained pending further proceedings. He never saw any jail time for the two murders he was known to have committed, as he was shot during a home invasion in which he planned on more victims. Constant Guyot had left the house early that morning to tend to a hay field a few miles off, accompanied by a hired hand. Date(s) & Update Frequency: Raw crime incidents are sourced from all 18,000+ local law enforcement agencies municipal, county, transit, park, port, university, tribal and more, assigned to localities, then built into NeighborhoodScouts proprietary predictive models to provide a comprehensive crime risk profile for every neighborhood and address-vicinity in the U.S. More about NeighborhoodScouts crime data methodology, By sending this Report you agree to NeighborhoodScout's, My Chances of Becoming a Victim of a While in custody, Whittecar called family members and directed them to items buried on the property he referred to as hay. DEA agents conducted an additional search and, approximately 10 feet underground below a pile of hay, they discovered a large plastic container and two plastic five-gallon buckets. . Popular opinion first favored the husband as perpetrator. However, Stevensville ran off five straight points in the extra session to upend the Maroons, 66-59. About three or four beers east of Billings is the small town of Hardin. Both women had been stabbed to death. Ravalli. BUTTE - The Butte Central Maroons girls' basketball team hosted the Stevensville Yellowjackets on Saturday afternoon at the Maroon Activities Center. Just like the Florence Hair Gallery, this building was a standalone unit, not attached to any strip or shopping mall. In 1984, Father John Kerrigan was settling into his new role at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ronan. VIDEO: Watch as Grizzly Bear Bolts Towards Bear-watching Group! The average household brings in about $32,006 a year, and 19.2% of them live below the poverty line. ROCKY MOUNTAIN REALTY OHI, Lori Schallenberger. Local news headlines from NonStop Local Bozeman and Butte - delivered to your email inbox every weekday. Stevensville man confesses to drug trafficking, firearm and money laundering, prosecutor says, Police identify Bozeman man suspected of sexual assault, Bozeman business donates $7,000 worth of Christmas toys, Montana State celebrates life of Sonny Holland, Bobcats Dominate W&M and Advance to Semifinals With 55-7 Win, Butte brothers dream of building boxing in Montana, New public land near Anaconda to provide conservation, recreation opportunities, February snow, cold stretch could affect summer flooding, Butte a month away from St. Patrick's Day, parade applications open, Man pleads guilty after embezzling money, manipulating man so he could pay it back, East Middle School student brings air soft gun on bus, Cascade Co. under stage 1 fire restrictions, Blackfeet Law Enforcement investigating death of woman near Heart Butte, Flathead City-County Health Dept. Meirhofer was a suspect in the February 1974 murder of 19-year-old Sandra Smallegan, whom he'd dated. In fact, the town dates back to the start of European settlement in the region, with a founding in the early 1830s. But the poverty rate hovers around 20%, thanks, in part, to a median income of just $38,575. It ranks as the 3rd worst place to live in Montana for 2021. This customer had been here before, and had never seen that man working. High 36F. Blacksmith Brewing Company 20 Breweries By Pam52787 Flights are always fun. We aim to deliver infotainment about where you live that your real estate agent won't tell you. He would later admit that while being questioned he was high and was unsure what was asked or what he had answered. Interactive chart of the Bozeman, Montana murder rate (i.e. Crime is ranked on a scale of 1 (low crime) to 100 (high crime) Stevensville violent crime is 28.6. Editors Note: This article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. The Montana State Capitol in Helena. Stevensville, MT + Follow. Stevensville, MT. And before you get all riled up and say were picking on small town America, thats not the case. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'roadsnacks_net-medrectangle-3','ezslot_0',606,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-roadsnacks_net-medrectangle-3-0');What? The unemployment rate sits at 10.8% and the poverty rate hovers at 28.3%.At the same time, safety represents a significant issue. Montana was also the home of Wayne Nance, a likely serial killer known as the Missoula Mauler. Low 21F. National. Select your ideal criteria and let Scout do the rest. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Racicot and Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla E. Painter are prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the DEA, Minnesota State Patrol, West Central Minnesota Drug and Violent Crime Task Force and Missoula County Sheriffs Office. Thomas Francis Meagher is one of the most fascinating and compelling figures in Montana historyand, indeed, 19th century global history. Then, a short while later, his body was found at the dump, two bullets through his head. Dal Segall. The Dec. 8, 1924 edition of the Billings Gazette reports the double murder of Nels and Annie Anderson. Furthermore, only cities with at least 2,000 people were considered leaving 32 cities. This image was originally posted to Flickr by Visual Content. 3 Bedroom Home in Stevensville - $1,599,000. Stevensville, MT Real Estate & Homes for Sale 90 Homes Sort by Relevant Listings Brokered by Eickert Realty New For Sale $580,000 2 bed 1 bath 1,130 sqft 1 acre lot 3755 Eastside Hwy,. The witness described the suspect to police as an oddly dressed man while other people nearby corroborated this strange individual walking through the area at the time. It is roughly right between three large metropolitan areas: Kansas City to the east, Denver to the west, and Oklahoma City to the south. He has written for 39 publications across the country and ran the media relations department at Movoto, a real estate portal based in San Francisco. The double homicide occurred on March 10 at the victims' residences near Stevensville. In 2019, there were just three murders per 100,000 residents. "Ax Murders Most Atrocious Crime in History of Billings", the headline screamed; it continued "Police Cling to Theory of Insane Slayer". Theres an enchanting island in the Mediterranean Sea called Malta, an ancient, mysterious outpost that sits within a shimmering sea and inspires legends like that of the Maltese Falcon. What are some fascinating creepy things in Montana history? Copyright 2000-2023 Location Inc. The townspeople know each other to see each other and the entire community is typical of what is known as small town America, other then Hiking Tourists the town doesn't see much traffic coming through from Route 93. Finally, we ranked every city on the Worst Place To Live Score with the lowest score being the worst city in Montana Polson.