Three More Suspects Charged in Creston Murder Case

The Memorial Day murder of a 35-year-old Kalispell man was allegedly carried out by three men at the behest of a woman seeking retribution against the victim because he stole drugs and money from her, according to court documents filed Friday.

Melisa Ann Crone, 29, Christopher Michael Hansen, 28, and David Vincent Toman, 20, all of Kalispell, were charged with felony accountability to deliberate homicide. The charges were filed Friday in Flathead County District Court and come two days after a fourth suspect, Robert Matthew Wittal, was charged with deliberate homicide in the death of Wade Allen Rautio. Crone was also charged with criminal possession of dangerous drugs after detectives discovered methamphetamine in her phone.

Although details surrounding the murder remain scant, the most recent court filings provide the first glimpse at a possible motive for the crime, which occurred over Memorial Day weekend. They also suggest the murder involved meth and an undisclosed sum of money.

The four suspects were apprehended in a rapid succession of arrests earlier this week after the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a homicide near Creston. Based on that information, detectives discovered Rautio’s body in a creek in the Peters Ridge area on June 13; the investigation unfolded quickly from there.

Sheriff Chuck Curry said additional arrests are likely in the coming days.

According to court documents, Rautio had been staying with Crone at her home in May when she accused him of stealing drugs and money from her. Wittal was also angry with Rautio, records state, and multiple witnesses told law enforcement that Wittal had previously said he wanted the man dead.

In late May, Wittal sought Crone’s approval to “commit an act of violence against” Rautio, to which Crone agreed. On the day of the murder, she called Wittal to tell him that the victim had arrived at her residence.

According to court documents, Toman drove Rautio, Wittal and Hansen to an area off Foothills Road east of Creston. Once there, Wittal allegedly stabbed Rautio multiple times. Hansen also punched Rautio and provided Wittal with a second knife after Wittal lost the first one. Wittal then stabbed Rautio in the neck.

Witnesses told law enforcement that they later saw Wittal burn the clothing he was wearing at the time of the murder. He also tried to burn his cell phone, according to court papers.

Wittal is being held on a $500,000 bail, while Crone, Hansen and Toman are being held on a $100,000 bail each.

Wittal made an initial appearance Wednesday afternoon and Crone, Hansen and Toman were charged Friday morning. If convicted, all four suspects could face maximum sentences of life imprisonment or the death penalty.

The four suspects are expected to appear June 30 before Flathead County District Judge Amy Eddy for arraignments.

In April, Wittal was charged with felony criminal possession of drugs and misdemeanor possession of a concealed weapon.

According to court documents, Wittal was arrested on an out-of-state warrant near a Kalispell bar in December. When he was taken into custody, authorities found a small bag of methamphetamine in his coat pocket. A firearm was also found inside his waistband; he did not have a concealed weapon permit.

Wittal was released on bond in early May and was scheduled to appear at an arraignment on June 2 but, according to court documents, he skipped the hearing.

Hansen was convicted of stealing more than $3,500 worth of weapons and tools from a home in Marion in 2012. He was given a six-year deferred sentence in 2013 but that was later revoked and he was sentenced to five years with the Department of Corrections. He also had to pay restitution to the victim.