GUILTY MT - Edwin "Ed" Albert Loder, 67, Ronan, 30 Aug 2024 *Arrests*

[PommyMommy]

Information sought on Ronan man reported missing​

Edwin Albert Loder, 67, of Ronan was last heard from on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024.

He is described as a white male who is 6' tall and weighs 165 pounds. Edwin has blue eyes and brown hair and also goes by the name of Ed.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

On September 4, 2024, at 1230 pm, Lake County 911 took a report of a missing person. The dispatch center was informed that 67-year-old, Edwin “Ed” Loder, of Ronan, was apparently missing and the assistance of the Sheriff’s Office was requested in locating him (Photo of Mr. Loder is attached). Through investigation, it was determined that the last confirmed contact with Ed was on Friday, August 30. The circumstances of the missing person are suspicious due to evidence being located near his home that led investigators to believe Ed may have been assaulted and injured. This evidence was located on Timberlane Rd east of Ronan

Lake County Sheriff's Office searching for man missing under suspicious circumstances

The Lake County Sheriff's Office is searching for67-year-old, Edwin “Ed” Loder, of Ronan.Loder was last seen Friday, Aug. 30.Authorities say the circumstance

www.nbcmontana.com

 

[PommyMommy]

On September 4, 2024, at 1230 pm, Lake County 911 took a report of a missing person. The dispatch center was informed that 67-year-old, Edwin “Ed” Loder, of Ronan, was apparently missing and the assistance of the Sheriff’s Office was requested in locating him (Photo of Mr. Loder is attached). Through investigation, it was determined that the last confirmed contact with Ed was on Friday, August 30. The circumstances of the missing person are suspicious due to evidence being located near his home that led investigators to believe Ed may have been assaulted and injured. This evidence was located on Timberlane Rd east of Ronan

Lake County Sheriff's Office searching for man missing under suspicious circumstances

The Lake County Sheriff's Office is searching for67-year-old, Edwin “Ed” Loder, of Ronan.Loder was last seen Friday, Aug. 30.Authorities say the circumstance

www.nbcmontana.com

Well that doesn't sound good. I wonder who reported him missing yesterday after 5 days... Does he live alone? MOO

Timberlane Rd

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

www.google.com

 

[GraceG]

Well that doesn't sound good. I wonder who reported him missing yesterday after 5 days... Does he live alone? MOO

Timberlane Rd

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

www.google.com

Lake County court records show a family court matter with a spouse (likely a divorce) that's over 20 years old. No other marriage records, but he could still be living with someone. Montana Public Access Portal(s)

 

[?!?]

Background -- apparently runs Collision Service at his home:

https://www.mylife.com/edwin-loder/e487095051498

 

[PommyMommy]

SEP 5, 2024

Search, investigation continues for Ronan man reported missing​

Lake County Sheriff's Office investigators believe that Albert Loder of Ronan may have been assaulted and is injured.

 

[PommyMommy]

SEP 6, 2024

Suspect facing homicide charge in death of Ronan man reported missing

A Polson man has been arrested in connection with the death of 67-year-old Ed Loder of Ronan who had been reported missing.

www.kpax.com

[...]

Lake County Sheriff Don Bell says 70-year-old James Lawrence, of Polson, is being held in the Lake County jail on pending charges of homicide and tampering with evidence.

[...]

Sheriff Bell says that Lawerence cooperated with the investigation and Loder’s body was found on Friday afternoon in the Twin Lakes area southeast of St. Ignatius.

[...]

 

[PommyMommy]

Wow, he was found about 80 miles south...

SEP 6, 2024

Missing Lake Co. man's body recovered, suspect in custody

James Lawrence, 70, of Polson is in custody in connection to the homicide of a 67-year-old Ed Loder, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Office.Lawrence has

nbcmontana.com

The following was sent out by Lake County Sheriff Don Bell:

Following the report of Ed Loder going missing, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office has been conducting an around the clock investigation with the aid of other agencies. This investigation led investigators to believe that Ed Loder was the victim of a homicide, and a suspect has been arrested. The identity of the suspect is 70-year-old James Lawrence, of Polson, who is being held in the Lake County jail for homicide and tampering with evidence. Lawrence has cooperated with the investigation which has resulted in the recovery of the body of Ed Loder as of 1:30 pm on Friday, September 6. Mr. Loder was recovered in the area of Twin Lakes, southeast of St. Ignatius. His body is being transported to the Montana State Crime Lab for autopsy.

 

[Unalienable Rights]

Bringing this case up to date:

Ed Loder's Obituary:

Edwin "Ed" Albert Loder Obituary August 31, 2024 - Shrider-Thompson Funeral & Cremation Services

View Edwin "Ed" Albert Loder's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

www.shriderthompson.com

Second person facing charges in 2024 shooting death of Ronan man

A second person is facing charges in the shooting death of a 67-year-old Ronan man in September of 2024.

www.kpax.com

May 8, 2025

A second person is facing charges in the shooting death of a 67-year-old Ronan man in September of 2024.

Jonathan Drennan-Beck, 30, is facing felony charges for conspiracy to commit deliberate homicide as well as tampering with evidence.

James Lawrence is already facing deliberate homicide charges in the shooting death of Ed Loder, whose body was found in the Twin Lakes area outside of St. Ignatius on Sept. 6, 2024.

*****

Lawrence pleads guilty in homicide of Ed Loder

Two men charged with crimes relating to the death of Ronan resident Ed Loder were recently convicted for their involvement.

leaderadvertiser.com

April 30, 2026

The two man charged with crimes relating to the death of a Ronan man, have now been convicted for their involvement.

James Lawrence, 71, entered a plea of guilty in District Court in Polson April 22 to deliberate homicide and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence in the death Ed Loder, 67. The plea was entered as part of an agreement that calls for the state recommending 50 years Montana State Prison for deliberate homicide, and 10 years on the tampering charge.

The defense reserved the right to argue for a lesser sentence and present mitigating evidence at sentencing. Judge Molly Owen tentatively set sentencing for June 12 at 9 a.m.

*****
Jonathan Michael Drennan-Beck, 31, pleaded guilty in District Court in Polson April 9 to two counts of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence for deleting information from an electronic device.*

The plea came as part of a plea agreement that comes with a joint recommendation of 10 years in the Montana State Prison on each count to run consecutive for a total of 20 years. It will dismiss at sentencing one count of deliberate homicide by accountability and one count of tampering with or fabricating physical.

His case was before Judge John A. Mercer. A sentencing date for Drennan-Beck will be set at a later time.

*****
More in the article.