Found Deceased MT - Rebekah Barsotti 33, & dog (fnd deceased), Town Pump, Superior, Mineral Co, 20 Jul 2021 *Reward

[laurawlms]

The Clark Fork River from Alberton Rock Climbing Area west to where the dog was found is a busy recreational river. There are many boat launch areas for water outfitters (I think they are called) excursions. For instance at one boat launch area we went to in Cyr to hand out fliers there were at least 3 full school busses of people going on river excursions. This location was only one of many. It's hard to believe that nobody saw the dog floating by during that 6 day period.

 

[kittythehare]

The Clark Fork River from Alberton Rock Climbing Area west to where the dog was found is a busy recreational river. There are many boat launch areas for water outfitters (I think they are called) excursions. For instance at one boat launch area we went to in Cyr to hand out fliers there were at least 3 full school busses of people going on river excursions. This location was only one of many. It's hard to believe that nobody saw the dog floating by during that 6 day period.

A necropsy would have told whether he had been shot or not, most likely.
Shot and then just thrown in.
Not necessarily shot in that location.

 

[Wild Rose]

During time on this website, I often see missing people but sometimes LE does not do an alert or list as suspicious missing. Yet in Rebekah's case, we have LE presuming she has died without witnesses or recovery of her. Odd, IMO. Very odd.

 

[MyJoey]

Thank you. LE still has her personal belongings as well as her vehicle. I'm assuming because it is still an active investigation?? It becomes tricky here. Who do they give the personal belongings to? The estranged husband is considered next of kin. But they were separated, living apart after an assault charge was filed by Rebekah and a No Contact Order issued. Of course, since her mom is considering other scenarios she would like these things.

I would ask to see pictures of the items as they were found. I would also insist on seeing pictures of the dog as he was found. Since it’s not being investigated as a crime I don’t understand holding the items. It sounds like at this point they are just waiting for her body to surface : (

 

[Laughing]

Copied from OP:

Rebekah had recently left an abusive marriage, filed assault charges and had a No Contact Order (March 2021) because she feared for herself and her dog. Someone said Rebekah’s husband threatened to drown Rebekah and her dog two weeks prior (prior to July 20, 2021). Rebekah’s estranged husband continued making threats on Rebekah and her dog’s life per text conversations between Rebekah and her mother, which both Sheriff’s Departments are aware of. The estranged husband is due in court in September 2021 for the assault charge.

BBM

Perhaps something is rotten in Montana? JMHO & all that. Really hate to hear this about LE & investigators.

State veterinary board should be asking pointed questions about the vet unable to remove a collar IMHO.

jmho ymmv lrr

 

[Loveoneanother]

The Clark Fork River from Alberton Rock Climbing Area west to where the dog was found is a busy recreational river. There are many boat launch areas for water outfitters (I think they are called) excursions. For instance at one boat launch area we went to in Cyr to hand out fliers there were at least 3 full school busses of people going on river excursions. This location was only one of many. It's hard to believe that nobody saw the dog floating by during that 6 day period.

I live in Missoula and the day that RB went missing we had some pretty intense rain and thunderstorms that came through the area. They were also in the afternoon shortly after the time she was last seen. It was widespread, so I would imagine the weather was about the same in Alberton.

I’m wondering if her car was found parked in the upper paved parking lot right off the interstate, or if it were parked in the lower area, this is a dirt drive path down to the river that you can use the cobblestone turnout to trailer your boat called St. John’s fishing access site. From the lower area there are a few different paths you can drive that will even take you right down to the beach area on the river.

If she parked in the paved area, the hike down to the river is steep and not one that I would take if it were raining.

 

[laurawlms]

A necropsy would have told whether he had been shot or not, most likely.
Shot and then just thrown in.
Not necessarily shot in that location.

I don't believe there was any visible evidence of a gun shot wound. I was thinking if there was foul play the dog might have been strangled, which would not be visibly evident.

 

[laurawlms]

I would ask to see pictures of the items as they were found. I would also insist on seeing pictures of the dog as he was found. Since it’s not being investigated as a crime I don’t understand holding the items. It sounds like at this point they are just waiting for her body to surface : (

I honestly don't believe the items as they were found were photographed because they never treated this as a crime. Mineral County only treated a a drowning incident. I am not sure if any pictures were taken of the dog. I agree since it is not and has never been investigated as a crime, why hold the items unless there is question in the Missoula detective's mind. Also the question of who to release the items to....an estranged husband that has an assault charge and a No Contact Order against him or the mother? Today is day 53. Rebekah is still missing. Initially Rebekah's mom was told by LE, Rebekah's body should surface in 4-5 days.

 

[laurawlms]

I live in Missoula and the day that RB went missing we had some pretty intense rain and thunderstorms that came through the area. They were also in the afternoon shortly after the time she was last seen. It was widespread, so I would imagine the weather was about the same in Alberton.

I’m wondering if her car was found parked in the upper paved parking lot right off the interstate, or if it were parked in the lower area, this is a dirt drive path down to the river that you can use the cobblestone turnout to trailer your boat called St. John’s fishing access site. From the lower area there are a few different paths you can drive that will even take you right down to the beach area on the river.

If she parked in the paved area, the hike down to the river is steep and not one that I would take if it were raining.

One other person raised the weather issue. LE has never raised this concern. I'm not sure how to confirm if it did in fact storm at that location in Alberton that day at that time. I will definitely ask Rebekah's mom to ask some Alberton locals.

The vehicle was found in the upper parking lot. Missoula LE believes Rebekah walked the long way to the east side of the climbing rock, which would be the dirt drive path down to the river. Mineral LE believes she hiked down a very steep path close to the parking lot side of the rock (east). There is another less steep path (but still steep) a little west of the rock from the parking lot.

The hike to the river from the paved parking area otherwise (not walking the long way down the dirt road) is a steep hike under dry conditions and when The deputy told me that was the way down, I told him I needed another way.[/QUOTE]

 

[laurawlms]

I would like to upload pictures that I took of the area where Rebekah's vehicle and personal items were found. I also have images of the steep hike down to the area (referred to in a previous post). I have to find a tutorial on how to do that on here because I keep getting an error when I try.

 

[Bit of hope]

I would like to upload pictures that I took of the area where Rebekah's vehicle and personal items were found. I also have images of the steep hike down to the area (referred to in a previous post). I have to find a tutorial on how to do that on here because I keep getting an error when I try.

Maybe the pictures are too big or have not the right extension. Do you use upload a file (right under your post, right to Post reply)....or insert image in the yellow menu bar?

 

[laurawlms]

Maybe the pictures are too big or have not the right extension. Do you use upload a file (right under your post, right to Post reply)....or insert image in the yellow menu bar?

I tried both. When I choose upload file it gives the error file to big. When I choose the insert image it wants a url. The images are on my desktop.

 

[Bit of hope]

I tried both. When I choose upload file it gives the error file to big. When I choose the insert image it wants a url. The images are on my desktop.

Could you make the image smaller with a snipped tool?

 

[laurawlms]

Could you make the image smaller with a snipped tool?

I don't know how. Let me see if I can save them as pdf. I will have to work on this later.

 

[Bit of hope]

I don't know how. Let me see if I can save them as pdf. I will have to work on this later.

On my desktop it's under "accessories"

 

[MyJoey]

I honestly don't believe the items as they were found were photographed because they never treated this as a crime. Mineral County only treated a a drowning incident. I am not sure if any pictures were taken of the dog. I agree since it is not and has never been investigated as a crime, why hold the items unless there is question in the Missoula detective's mind. Also the question of who to release the items to....an estranged husband that has an assault charge and a No Contact Order against him or the mother? Today is day 53. Rebekah is still missing. Initially Rebekah's mom was told by LE, Rebekah's body should surface in 4-5 days.

Usually that’s true the body should surface in a short time, however it could be caught on/ under something. Some bodies never surface….sadly.

 

[laurawlms]

This is the steep slope hike down on the east side of the parking lot to get to the east side of the climbing rock. The picture doesn't even capture how steep it is. When I was there I never observed anyone go down this path but saw many come up this path.

 

[laurawlms]

This is the riverbank on the east side of the climbing rock

 

[laurawlms]

This is where the First Deputy on scene said Rebekah's belongings were found.

 

[laurawlms]

This is the end of the steep hike down from the east side parking lot. This is the river side of the path.