Missing Montana woman, Meghan Rouns, 27, is found dead in river after she vanished on horse ride
A Montana woman who went missing while horseback riding has been found dead in the Missouri River.
Meghan Rouns, 27, disappeared Friday while out and about at the McMaster Hills Recreation Center near Helena.
She was reported missing by family after she did not return home six hours later.
Her disappearance sparked a frantic search but she was found by divers last night under a depth of 3.5 meters about 30 meters from shore.
Authorities believe Rouns, who could not swim, was knocked off her horse during high winds.
Meghan Rouns, 27, Montana woman who went missing while horseback riding, found dead in Missouri River
Friends have since paid tribute to the ‘kind and caring’ married woman, who was a keen equestrian.
“Meghan was the sweetest person I ever had [sic] met,” Vanessa Olson said. “My heart breaks for her family. Her smile will be greatly missed. RIP sweet girl.’
“All of us who knew Meghan were truly blessed to have her in our lives, even if only for a short time,” said Tamrah Chatriand. ‘She was a very sweet, kind, caring, thoughtful and calm person.
“If you ever met her, you liked her because that was just who she was.”
Lewis and Clark County Sheriff and Coroner Leo C Dutton said Rouns’ husband and family would like to thank the local community for their support.
“You kept hope and gave them comfort that they were not alone in this ordeal,” he said.
“The members of my office and I are grateful to everyone who has shown compassion and courage for this family.
“Some of you knew Meghan, some of you didn’t, but you came to help in a time of need. Thank you.
Rouns disappeared Friday while out and about at the McMaster Hills Recreation Center near Helena
On Tuesday, the sheriff’s department deployed divers to the section of the Missouri River
“To Meghan’s family, we extend our condolences and deepest condolences.”
She was last seen by her family when she left her home around 2pm on Friday, October 4.
According to Lewis and Clark sheriff’s deputies, a photo was posted to her Snapchat account around 4:20 p.m.
She was then reported missing at around 8pm after failing to return home, leaving police with a three hour and forty minute window in which she could have disappeared.
Her father said she had been riding in the Eagle Bay area east of Helena, west of the Missouri River.
In recent days, several law enforcement agencies joined in the search for the missing woman and eventually found Rouns’ horse on the hill near Hauser Lake.
Her body was tragically discovered under 10 feet of water, about 100 feet offshore
Officials believe she was knocked from her horse into the water by high winds
The Malmstrom Air Force Base Helena Police Department even deployed a helicopter on Sunday as search dog teams were deployed.
Dozens of volunteers also scoured the recreation area on foot and horseback, and at the same time a robot-operated vehicle and divers were seen traversing the waters where Rouns’ horse was found.