fbpx

Four People Charged in Connection with Ronan Woman’s Death

24-year-old Ronan woman died following incident at McDonald Lake in Mission Mountains

By Beacon Staff
Joseph Parizeau

Three people have been charged with murder and a fourth person has been charged with obstruction of justice after the death of a 24-year-old Ronan woman over the weekend.

Cassandra Harris, 24, was discovered unconscious and badly injured on June 23 near McDonald Lake in the Mission Mountains. The woman was transferred to Kalispell Regional Medical Center where she later died from her injuries.

According to Lake County Sheriff Don Bell, four people were arrested on June 24 — Julia Vaile, 18, of Browning; Gale Hendrickx, 19, of Pablo; Donnovan Sherwood, 18, of Arlee; and Joseph Parizeau Jr., 22, of Ronan. Vaile, Hendrickx and Parizeau Jr. have all been charged with negligent homicide and Sherwood has been charged with obstruction of justice.

According to law enforcement, it appears that a motor vehicle was involved with Harris’ death, based on the scene and the location of the body. A vehicle was also seized as evidence.

All four suspects made an initial appearance in Lake County Justice Court on Monday. Vaile and Hendrickx were released following their court appearance and Sherwood and Parizeau remain in custody.