Found Deceased MT - Meghan Rouns, 27, horseback riding, horse found, phone found in saddlebag, McMaster Hills Rec Area, NE of Helena, 4 Oct 2024 *Active Search*

[Chimera]

Saw the updated posts on this thread.

Rest in gentle peace, Meghan !

My utmost condolences to her grieving loved ones.
Life isn't fair, she should have had many more years to live.

 

[borndem]

Would a strong wind gust be likely to spook a horse?

In my experience, anything can spook a horse... So, so sad.

 

[OckhamsRazor22]

Puma? Nope, not in Montana.

Mountain Lion | Montana FWP

Mountain lion conservation and management

fwp.mt.gov

 

[Unalienable Rights]

I'm sorry to hear that she drowned...but I do wonder how her hat ended up upstream from her.

In one of the articles, the sheriff said he thought the heavy winds blew the hat there.

I'm so sad for her loved ones.

 

[Tower]

Puma? Nope, not in Montana.

I know others have responded but puma = cougar = mountain lion = panther = catamount = Puma concolor (scientific name). All the same animal.

Mountain Lion (Puma concolor) - Jewel Cave National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)

www.nps.gov

 

[LadyL]

Your link states -
Rouns was located in 11 feet of water, about 100 feet from shore. Her body will be taken to the crime lab in Missoula to help determine the cause and manner of death.

thank you I missed that

 

[GoBuckeyes]

how far out was she? the pictures of the searchers in the water look like the water is shallow quite a ways out

View attachment 536480

Meghan Rouns' body recovered by rescue divers

According to Lewis and Clark County Sheriff/Coroner Leo Dutton, the body of Meghan Rouns was recovered from the Missouri River.

www.ktvh.com

The article states that she was found about 100 feet out in 11 feet of water, but she may not have been that far out when she first came off her horse. (depending on the current)

So terribly sad!

 

[iQuill]

Godspeed Meghan

 

[lizziginne]

RIP Meghan, I'm glad there is closure for her family and friends

 

[truthfinder2019]

R.I.P. Meghan :-(
So sad

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid05uc3n485Btt2g1Wb2H2cvxFW8WkbpZWngfrNfr781s8AoAqxosRB4nXTj3PecRSvl&id=100066843960986

 

[bestill]

RIP sweet Meghan. Sending my deepest sympathies to her loved ones, friends and appreciation to the rescue operation, they worked so hard to find her and it's not the outcome anyone wished for.

 

[Boots38]

I know others have responded but puma = cougar = mountain lion = panther = catamount = Puma concolor (scientific name). All the same animal.

Mountain Lion (Puma concolor) - Jewel Cave National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)

www.nps.gov

A girl lost her life.. glad we know what to call a mountain lion.

Rest in peace!! You will be missed by so many!!

 

[caradana]

Well done by aquatic LE for finding the body and giving the family that certainty and closure. Those are cold dives.

 

[Tower]

A girl lost her life.. glad we know what to call a mountain lion.

Rest in peace!! You will be missed by so many!!

It was a response to a much-earlier post and unfortunately I was reading the posts in order.

Like you, I am devastated by this loss. Any sarcastic implication that I am not is also upsetting. I believe any of us who are here wish only for the best outcome in all situations. Please be kind, we often see out of order posts on websleuths.

RIP Meghan. I am thinking and praying for her family at this time.

 

[browneyes]

I’m so sad to hear she drowned. I was hopeful she would be found safe. Rest easy beautiful Meghan. Prayers to all who loved her.

 

[mickey2942]

In my experience, anything can spook a horse... So, so sad.

Yes. I am not a horse person, my kids are, just part of growing up in Montana.

I really wonder if it was the wind, that spooked the horse, or dogs, there are several packs of dogs running loose in the area, they are a huge menace. One of my friends was badly hurt in a dog attack a few years ago.

I was looking for articles on this issue, because it is huge. Nothing. Isn’t that interesting. Everyone knows about people's dogs loose, and the dog packs, not any information to be found online.

 

[Boots38]

Yes. I am not a horse person, my kids are, just part of growing up in Montana.

I really wonder if it was the wind, that spooked the horse, or dogs, there are several packs of dogs running loose in the area, they are a huge menace. One of my friends was badly hurt in a dog attack a few years ago.

I was looking for articles on this issue, because it is huge. Nothing. Isn’t that interesting. Everyone knows about people's dogs loose, and the dog packs, not any information to be found online.

I believe the cops and news have reported that it was a significant wind event.

 

[Motoman_90]

Rest in peace Megan atleast you went doing something you loved

 

[borndem]

Yes. I am not a horse person, my kids are, just part of growing up in Montana.

I really wonder if it was the wind, that spooked the horse, or dogs, there are several packs of dogs running loose in the area, they are a huge menace. One of my friends was badly hurt in a dog attack a few years ago.

I was looking for articles on this issue, because it is huge. Nothing. Isn’t that interesting. Everyone knows about people's dogs loose, and the dog packs, not any information to be found online.

Thanks for trying, @mickey2942 .
So many people helped find her -- big thanks to all of them. Such a sad outcome, but now the family has closure.

 

[moonriverfarm]

I can't fathom not being able to swim at her age. This is horrific.