Arrests Made in Flathead River Murder Investigation

Two people have been arrested in a murder investigation along the Flathead River this week in Evergreen.

Cecil Thomas Rice, 26, was arrested late Thursday and charged with deliberate homicide and tampering with evidence. Heather Joy Meeker, 25, was also arrested and charged with accountability to deliberate homicide and tampering with evidence.

Sheriff Chuck Curry described both suspects as transients who have been living in the Kalispell area. Curry said additional arrests are possible.

Authorities responded around 7 p.m., Wednesday, to a report of a man in the river near the former Old Steel Bridge site on Holt Stage Road. The man, described as being approximately 50 to 60 years old with a grey, stubble beard and dark, short hair, was observed floating down the center of the river in distress, Curry said. The man floated downstream a few hundred yards before being swept underwater.

As of Friday morning, the man’s body has not been recovered from the river. Curry said efforts to find the body in the river would continue through the weekend.

Curry said law enforcement have identified the victim but are not releasing the name until his family is notified.

The investigation remains ongoing, Curry said.

Anyone with possible information about the event is asked to contact the Flathead County Sheriff Detective Division at (406) 758-5600.