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

[laurawlms]

This is where Mineral Sheriff Office Deputy said they believe Rebekah entered the river.

 

[laurawlms]

From the west end of the parking lot there is another less steep (but still steep) path down to the river west side of the climbing rock. This is where I observed people go down to the river. I have marked in red the path that would be taken to get to the east side of the climbing rock from this path.

 

[laurawlms]

To update about Rebekah's personal items found on the riverbank. Rebakah's mom has previously asked for pictures of the items found. So far there has been no response to that request.

 

[PommyMommy]

SEP 12, 2021
Mother of missing Missoula woman urges change, plans vigil | KECI
The numbers are staggering. Last year alone over 59,000 women were reported missing in the United States. That is more than every man, woman and child in Great Falls, Montana.

But in Missoula it is much more personal, especially as one mother inches closer to the two-month anniversary of her daughter’s disappearance near the Clark Fork River.

AM is planning a candlelight vigil for Rebekah Barsotti next Monday night, September 20, at McCormack Park in Missoula.

[...]

For now, whatever happened to Rebekah on this river beach remains a secret. The answer is hidden in the surrounding forest, or down the long stretch of interstate or under the rushing water.

“My hope, because I can still feel her spirit and feel her presence, is that she’s alive and that she's somewhere to be found and she's waiting to be found,” AM said.

Rebekah's parents do say they're grateful and overwhelmed by all the support they are receiving for the community.

 

[laurawlms]

SEP 12, 2021
Mother of missing Missoula woman urges change, plans vigil | KECI
The numbers are staggering. Last year alone over 59,000 women were reported missing in the United States. That is more than every man, woman and child in Great Falls, Montana.

But in Missoula it is much more personal, especially as one mother inches closer to the two-month anniversary of her daughter’s disappearance near the Clark Fork River.

AM is planning a candlelight vigil for Rebekah Barsotti next Monday night, September 20, at McCormack Park in Missoula.

[...]

For now, whatever happened to Rebekah on this river beach remains a secret. The answer is hidden in the surrounding forest, or down the long stretch of interstate or under the rushing water.

“My hope, because I can still feel her spirit and feel her presence, is that she’s alive and that she's somewhere to be found and she's waiting to be found,” AM said.

Rebekah's parents do say they're grateful and overwhelmed by all the support they are receiving for the community.

Thank you for posting this.

 

[Seni]

I read this thread early this morning, it has stayed with me all day. Laura, incredible all you have done and researched and searched.

I don't understand, given the problems and ongoing legal situation with ex-husband, why LE will not release her belongings to your sister, her mother.

Can we get an opinion from @gitana1 or @OldCop on this?

 

[OldCop]

I read this thread early this morning, it has stayed with me all day. Laura, incredible all you have done and researched and searched.

I don't understand, given the problems and ongoing legal situation with ex-husband, why LE will not release her belongings to your sister, her mother.

Can we get an opinion from @gitana1 or @OldCop on this?

I’ll try to weigh in on this, but an attorney’s opinion would be most helpful as I’m not well versed in MT law.
LE may say they are holding the property as evidence in the event the case turns into a criminal matter. However, the police have told you they do not believe this to be a criminal case. In that case, I think you could petition the court for the return of your niece’s possessions. The estranged husband may contest this. The court would then have to rule who has rightful claim to the property.
46-5-312. Return of property seized -- right to possess, MCA

The issue for your family is that if you do petition the court and they rule that the husband has the rights to the property ahead of your sister, you may be placing potential evidence into the hands of someone you consider suspect.
(We have to be careful here because our TOS stipulates that we cannot sleuth anyone who has not been named a POI by LE.)

 

[laurawlms]

I’ll try to weigh in on this, but an attorney’s opinion would be most helpful as I’m not well versed in MT law.
LE may say they are holding the property as evidence in the event the case turns into a criminal matter. However, the police have told you they do not believe this to be a criminal case. In that case, I think you could petition the court for the return of your niece’s possessions. The estranged husband may contest this. The court would then have to rule who has rightful claim to the property.
46-5-312. Return of property seized -- right to possess, MCA

The issue for your family is that if you do petition the court and they rule that the husband has the rights to the property ahead of your sister, you may be placing potential evidence into the hands of someone you consider suspect.
(We have to be careful here because our TOS stipulates that we cannot sleuth anyone who has not been named a POI by LE.)

Rebekah's mom has told me the estranged husband is contacting Missoula Sheriff's Office pushing his NOK status. So, the evidence may be safest with LE. I agree we don't want to place the potential evidence into the hands of the estranged husband since he is someone we consider suspect. Sadly in the beginning when Mineral had the case, they were keeping the estranged husband updated frequently. I really can't figure out why he hasn't been considered suspect by LE. In my opinion, mistakes were made in the beginning that may forever change the outcome of this case.

 

[laurawlms]

Dateline Missing in America featured Rebekah in a written article yesterday.

Vigil planned for missing Montana woman two months after she disappeared

Rebekah's mom told me, in the interview with the reporter, that she pushed hard on the domestic violence in the marriage and mentioned the No Contact Order. This article is almost silent on it except for mentioning the estranged husband. I'm not sure if Rebekah's mom waited too long to speak out about DV but it has been so hard to get Rebekah's disappearance in mainstream media compared to other recent cases. We can't figure that out.....

 

[Hulklogan406]

It was mentioned that she was last seen at the superior gas station and was meeting someone who was giving her back her belongings that were still at her estranged husbands house. Who was that person and could the person have followed Rebekah after she left the gas station?

 

[laurawlms]

It was mentioned that she was last seen at the superior gas station and was meeting someone who was giving her back her belongings that were still at her estranged husbands house. Who was that person and could the person have followed Rebekah after she left the gas station?

Yes Rebekah went to Superior that day (7/20/21), after pre-arranging to meet one of the estranged husbands caregivers at the Town Pump to retrieve personal items still left at the marital home. On Facebook social media posts on Mineral Sheriff Office and Missoula Sheriff Office Facebook pages, both VA funded caregivers have strongly defended the estranged husband and belittle others for not being grateful "to a VET for their service". (Remember his service amounted to 4 months and he never completed bootcamp)

There was a video obtained by Mineral County Sheriff's Office from Town Pump from that day. I'm not sure what the video showed. I do known Rebekah's mom asked to see the video so she could see what Rebekah was wearing and she was told by the Sheriff the vide0 was too poor quality to see. Rebakah's mom asked for the video to be sent to the FBI for enhancement and that request was denied.

 

[Seni]

Yes Rebekah went to Superior that day (7/20/21), after pre-arranging to meet one of the estranged husbands caregivers at the Town Pump to retrieve personal items still left at the marital home. On Facebook social media posts on Mineral Sheriff Office and Missoula Sheriff Office Facebook pages, both VA funded caregivers have strongly defended the estranged husband and belittle others for not being grateful "to a VET for their service". (Remember his service amounted to 4 months and he never completed bootcamp)

There was a video obtained by Mineral County Sheriff's Office from Town Pump from that day. I'm not sure what the video showed. I do known Rebekah's mom asked to see the video so she could see what Rebekah was wearing and she was told by the Sheriff the vide0 was too poor quality to see. Rebakah's mom asked for the video to be sent to the FBI for enhancement and that request was denied.

What can you do when you are in such a situation?

 

[Loveoneanother]

With that being a rest/parking area that semi trucks like to pull off especially when there is foul weather I think your best bet for anyone that may have witnessed anything is to post as many fliers as possible at rest areas and truck stops. I don’t know if it would be giving too much info out if you mentioned the type and color of Rebekah’s vehicle on the poster just in case that helps to jog someone’s memory if anyone was near her vehicle or seen with her before she went down to the river. I almost always see a semi pulled off at that exit when driving by. The bathroom sits near the parking area so you can’t use it without seeing the parked cars.

Along the same lines as the Facebook posts…
WERE YOU HERE ON THIS DAY? DID YOU SEE OR HEAR ANYTHING?

 

[Bit of hope]

Yes Rebekah went to Superior that day (7/20/21), after pre-arranging to meet one of the estranged husbands caregivers at the Town Pump to retrieve personal items still left at the marital home. On Facebook social media posts on Mineral Sheriff Office and Missoula Sheriff Office Facebook pages, both VA funded caregivers have strongly defended the estranged husband and belittle others for not being grateful "to a VET for their service". (Remember his service amounted to 4 months and he never completed bootcamp)

There was a video obtained by Mineral County Sheriff's Office from Town Pump from that day. I'm not sure what the video showed. I do known Rebekah's mom asked to see the video so she could see what Rebekah was wearing and she was told by the Sheriff the vide0 was too poor quality to see. Rebakah's mom asked for the video to be sent to the FBI for enhancement and that request was denied.

Maybe the answer is already in here, sorry if it is, but why does the estranged husband needs a caretaker? To answer my own question. He is considered an invalid. What was the nature of his injuries? Given the injuries would he been capable off physically hurting Rebekah, driving a car, etc. Considering the no contact order and the occurrence in court for domestic violence, he is capable of a lot. How does this go together with needing a caretaker. Just wondering. I hope you get my line of thinking.

Somewhere in here there is stated that he was a pathetic liar. Wouldn't it be easy for LE to check his background in the military, and conclude he is in fact lying about his past as an ex-marine and being a Vet. Same for VA.

Also were the personal items given to her by the caretaker the same that were found on the riverbank? If so, that would be strange IMO. Why the need to take them out of the car.

Many more thoughts. I just don't understand why LE keeps on insisting this was a drowning accident and is not willing to look a little further. While there were water searches, Rebekah's body was never found. The dog's was. It does seem strange to me, because I would expect them somehow together or near each other. After so many time past and the water still not give her body up, wouldn't it be logical to think it's maybe time to start land searches....

Would a FOIA (Freedom Of Information Act) work in this case? I'm not sure how this works for current cases/investigations.

 

[MichelleAntonia]

This is a truly terrible situation. I hate that anyone has to go through it.

What I'm wondering is, if her dog was found on the water or on the bank? If it was the bank, his body must have washed up and been there a while, poor boy

But if it was, and if this was an accident, logic would suggest that RB would've probably gone into the water in the same instance, right after the dog did. It seems likely, at least to me, that she would be recovered somewhere nearby if that was the case. It's strange that it's been so long and there's been no trace of her, yet the dog was found after only six days. I'm sure there's some science here that I don't know about weight and buoyancy, but I do know rivers and if someone goes in a river, they're inevitably found somewhere downriver. There are always rocks, logs, shallow pools, etc that make it nearly impossible for someone to completely disappear, like they would in a large, deep lake. The current + physical obstacles and changing directions always catch whatever large object might have gone in.

 

[MichelleAntonia]

This is where Mineral Sheriff Office Deputy said they believe Rebekah entered the river.

That looks very shallow, and relatively safe? Is there a fast moving current right beyond that shallow pool?

 

[Bit of hope]

I found a piece about the water search, with an embedded video of it. https://www.krtv.com/news/montana-a...montana- woman-reported-missing-asks-for-help

 

[laurawlms]

That looks very shallow, and relatively safe? Is there a fast moving current right beyond that shallow pool?

Many locals have commented the same as what you are pointing out. One local did a test with weighted down jugs to show the jugs never get pulled under by a current. These videos were shared in Facebook messenger and I can't seem to save them to my desktop to share them. However, according to with Captain Burt in this interview

Mother of missing Missoula woman urges change, plans vigil

"the river has a lot of straight stretches with deep areas, some 90 degree bends and some even larger than that."

I don't know enough about the river to know otherwise.

 

[laurawlms]

With that being a rest/parking area that semi trucks like to pull off especially when there is foul weather I think your best bet for anyone that may have witnessed anything is to post as many fliers as possible at rest areas and truck stops. I don’t know if it would be giving too much info out if you mentioned the type and color of Rebekah’s vehicle on the poster just in case that helps to jog someone’s memory if anyone was near her vehicle or seen with her before she went down to the river. I almost always see a semi pulled off at that exit when driving by. The bathroom sits near the parking area so you can’t use it without seeing the parked cars.

Along the same lines as the Facebook posts…
WERE YOU HERE ON THIS DAY? DID YOU SEE OR HEAR ANYTHING?

While I was there we did post fliers all along I-90 from Missoula to Superior. We also went to the boat launches and hung fliers. A church's young men also distributed fliers though out Missoula. Rebekah's mom has continued posting and sharing fliers. Thank you for the suggestion. I will suggest to Rebekah's mom to add the vehicle description to the flyer.

 

[laurawlms]

Maybe the answer is already in here, sorry if it is, but why does the estranged husband needs a caretaker? To answer my own question. He is considered an invalid. What was the nature of his injuries? Given the injuries would he been capable off physically hurting Rebekah, driving a car, etc. Considering the no contact order and the occurrence in court for domestic violence, he is capable of a lot. How does this go together with needing a caretaker. Just wondering. I hope you get my line of thinking.

Somewhere in here there is stated that he was a pathetic liar. Wouldn't it be easy for LE to check his background in the military, and conclude he is in fact lying about his past as an ex-marine and being a Vet. Same for VA.

Also were the personal items given to her by the caretaker the same that were found on the riverbank? If so, that would be strange IMO. Why the need to take them out of the car.

Many more thoughts. I just don't understand why LE keeps on insisting this was a drowning accident and is not willing to look a little further. While there were water searches, Rebekah's body was never found. The dog's was. It does seem strange to me, because I would expect them somehow together or near each other. After so many time past and the water still not give her body up, wouldn't it be logical to think it's maybe time to start land searches....

Would a FOIA (Freedom Of Information Act) work in this case? I'm not sure how this works for current cases/investigations.

I understand your line of thinking regarding caretakers and his disabled status. It seems it has been part of his lie. He had Rebekah and her family convinced of the ENTIRE lie. While Rebekah lived there she was one of the caretakers. But this is not how they met (they met on the river and were married in 2015). I don't believe he really needs caretakers. Any "disabilities" he has are from civilian work and recreational activities according to one reliable source I have communicated with.

The personal items retrieved from marital home were not the same personal items found on the riverbank.

We also don't understand why LE is not approaching this with a more open mind to other possible scenarios. So much precious time has lapsed and extensive searches of the river have not produced Rebekah. Rebekah's mom has asked for land searching and the response is "there is too much land to cover". If she has a specific area they might entertain it. She asked for a 50 mile radius from the rest area and that too was too much land to search.