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

[Bit of hope]

I can’t help but think that the estranged husband must be raging. If he was involved, he would have thought that once Rebecca’s belongings were found on the river bank and no-one was able to locate her, that would be the end of it. It was set up for her dog getting into difficulty in the water and Rebecca jumping in to save him, before getting into difficulties herself and sadly drowning.

He’ll be even more angry than it is strong and determined women who aren’t accepting this narrative. If he has silenced Rebecca, he knows now that her family are just as strong and brave as Rebecca was. I hope he also knows that Websleuths is filled with people just as determined that justice is done, no matter how hard it is and how long it takes.

What a wonderful post. Very kind.

 

[Gina20]

So here is a question: did Rebekah ever seek help at a domestic violence shelter in the area? Did she ever ask for safekeeping from an animal shelter, or put Cerberus in a private kennel for a while? Did she take him to other area vets? Did she confide in someone who might be willing to swear an affidavit? These actions might provide clues and useful information for later. These people and organizations could be allies.

 

[Gina20]

Is anyone able to post a link to the Mineral County court documents mentioned here? TIA.

Still searching: Rebekah Barsotti missing for two months

 

[Gina20]

I started searching for news stories about people who disappeared and were later found in the Clark Fork River. I found three in short order.

The most recent involved a man who had been seen in Superior before he disappeared. The search area was from "Tarkio near exit 61 on Interstate 90 West and north to Superior", according to police. His car was found on private property. He had apparently fallen off a cliff. The exact location in the river was not mentioned.

Body of Billings man found in Clark Fork River in Mineral County | State & Regional | mtstandard.com

Another man disappeared in 2012 and was found in 2013 west of Superior in the Clark Fork River near Sloway Road. There is a campground nearby.

Body found in Clark Fork River identified as that of missing Superior man

Tammy Salle went missing in late 2012 and was found murdered in the Clark Fork near Deer Lodge in 2013. This involved an extensive search of a landfill after police found evidence indicating foul play.

Crime lab confirms body found is Tammy Salle

Tammy Salle Missing: Volunteers search for Montana woman who went missing over a week ago, report says

‎Status: Pending: Chapter 5: Missing in Montana (Tammy Salle) on Apple Podcasts

Tammy was the second missing woman in four years in her small community.

Are there some geographical reasons the river gave up these two men where it did? Have their disappearances been explained in the interim?

In Tammy's case, she was found downstream from where she had entered the river. How sad this is:

Newly released documents reveal murder suspect's violent past

 

[?!?]

A $12,000 reward can do wonderful things to the memory of some individuals.

 

[Bit of hope]

Kind of OT but a very interesting statement. Help Me Ben: Is the official MMIP list accurate? | FOX 28 Spokane It might shed some light on the why this case is handled as it is.

Snipped
According to the DOJ Missing Person’s List, Neal Thomas Albert went missing at the end of July. We ran the graphic on Wake Up Montana, and posted it to our station Facebook page that afternoon. Moments after it went on social media, a Neal Tate Albert commented, saying “I’m ok.”

We reached out to Neal and the Missoula Police Department, which is the agency in charge of finding him. According to Public Information Officer Lydia Arnold, we confirmed they were no longer looking for him.

Since then, Montana Right Now has checked the list every day to see when his name would drop off. Still to this day, Neal Thomas Albert is listed as missing. So I called the Missoula Police Department to see what was going on with this case.

I talked with MPD Detective Lieutenant Eddie McLean, who investigates Missing Persons cases. And he says that right now, the police department has reached out to Neal Tate Albert, the same person who contacted our station, and they have not heard back from him. Because of this, the name cannot be removed.

And it makes sense. You can’t just call in and say you are safe. You have to prove it. MPD has official criteria when there is a chance to officially remove a person from the list.

“It’s not a crime.” Lt. McLean says. “Basically, you can walk away from your life, and there is nothing illegal about it. If there is no indication of criminal activity associated with it, the person left on their own free will, and they are not having an apparent mental crisis, we are not going to dump a lot of investigative man hours into it when there is no apparent crime committed.”

For the police department, it’s all about maximizing resources.

Wait, wait....I do remember another "brilliant" way of communicating by the Mineral Sheriff.......is this all about money and resources/workload?

Snipped for focus.

To say I'm shocked is an understatement. Mineral County mishandled this case from the beginning...they didn't secure the scene, they didn't fingerprint the personal items found on the riverbank, they didn't fingerprint the car, they didn't bring in scent dogs to determine if Rebekah actually entered the water. in the beginning when the Mineral Sheriff had the case, he told my sister and her husband "not everyone can be treated like the President" and "they weren't even going to search for Rebekah but a deputy suggested they do a search".

 

[Bit of hope]

I started searching for news stories about people who disappeared and were later found in the Clark Fork River. I found three in short order.

The most recent involved a man who had been seen in Superior before he disappeared. The search area was from "Tarkio near exit 61 on Interstate 90 West and north to Superior", according to police. His car was found on private property. He had apparently fallen off a cliff. The exact location in the river was not mentioned.

Body of Billings man found in Clark Fork River in Mineral County | State & Regional | mtstandard.com

Another man disappeared in 2012 and was found in 2013 west of Superior in the Clark Fork River near Sloway Road. There is a campground nearby.

Body found in Clark Fork River identified as that of missing Superior man

Tammy Salle went missing in late 2012 and was found murdered in the Clark Fork near Deer Lodge in 2013. This involved an extensive search of a landfill after police found evidence indicating foul play.

Crime lab confirms body found is Tammy Salle

Tammy Salle Missing: Volunteers search for Montana woman who went missing over a week ago, report says

‎Status: Pending: Chapter 5: Missing in Montana (Tammy Salle) on Apple Podcasts

Tammy was the second missing woman in four years in her small community.

Are there some geographical reasons the river gave up these two men where it did? Have their disappearances been explained in the interim?

In Tammy's case, she was found downstream from where she had entered the river. How sad this is:

Newly released documents reveal murder suspect's violent past

In the beginning the Sheriff said to Rebekah's mother and her husband that she would surface in about 4 of 5 days. Right....Wrong; nope she didn't until this day....even after many searches. Isn't there anybody in the force thinking right now...."hé, that is weird....maybe we should look into other scenario's".

 

[?!?]

Kind of OT but a very interesting statement. Help Me Ben: Is the official MMIP list accurate? | FOX 28 Spokane It might shed some light on the why this case is handled as it is.

Snipped
According to the DOJ Missing Person’s List, Neal Thomas Albert went missing at the end of July. We ran the graphic on Wake Up Montana, and posted it to our station Facebook page that afternoon. Moments after it went on social media, a Neal Tate Albert commented, saying “I’m ok.”

We reached out to Neal and the Missoula Police Department, which is the agency in charge of finding him. According to Public Information Officer Lydia Arnold, we confirmed they were no longer looking for him.

Since then, Montana Right Now has checked the list every day to see when his name would drop off. Still to this day, Neal Thomas Albert is listed as missing. So I called the Missoula Police Department to see what was going on with this case.

I talked with MPD Detective Lieutenant Eddie McLean, who investigates Missing Persons cases. And he says that right now, the police department has reached out to Neal Tate Albert, the same person who contacted our station, and they have not heard back from him. Because of this, the name cannot be removed.

And it makes sense. You can’t just call in and say you are safe. You have to prove it. MPD has official criteria when there is a chance to officially remove a person from the list.

“It’s not a crime.” Lt. McLean says. “Basically, you can walk away from your life, and there is nothing illegal about it. If there is no indication of criminal activity associated with it, the person left on their own free will, and they are not having an apparent mental crisis, we are not going to dump a lot of investigative man hours into it when there is no apparent crime committed.”

For the police department, it’s all about maximizing resources.

Wait, wait....I do remember another "brilliant" way of communicating by the Mineral Sheriff.......is this all about money and resources/workload?

I certainly hope that I'm not the FIRST to recognize the difference in the names (THOMAS vs. TATE)!

I would also hope that that is the FIRST THING that would have to match if someone wants to be "unmissing" -- let's face it (AFAIK) there is an awful lot of improvement (standardization not the least of them) available in the whole area of missing (is it kidnapping, evasion, escape from abuse [spousal or parental], etc.) and when to consider it criminal (waiting for evidence to appear frequently means most of the evidence has disappeared [tire marks, video, etc.]. Resources are limited -- doesn't mean we can't do better with what there is.

JUST MY NON-EXPERT OPINION!

 

[?!?]

In the beginning the Sheriff said to Rebekah's mother and her husband that she would surface in about 4 of 5 days. Right....Wrong; nope she didn't until this day....even after many searches. Isn't there anybody in the force thinking right now...."hé, that is weird....maybe we should look into other scenario's".

There is (IMHO) NO excuse for them to refuse co-operation with PI or outside search people -- at least 'to the extent that it does not interfere with other active cases.'

 

[Gina20]

In the beginning the Sheriff said to Rebekah's mother and her husband that she would surface in about 4 of 5 days. Right....Wrong; nope she didn't until this day....even after many searches. Isn't there anybody in the force thinking right now...."hé, that is weird....maybe we should look into other scenario's".

Four months have passed since Rebekah disappeared. It is true that most people who drown in the Clark Fork River seem to be found within hours or days. I've checked the news stories. The cases mentioned above all involved a lag time, and they all have oddities. No one seems to know how or why the two men ended up where they did, or no one is saying anything publicly. As for the woman, she was murdered.

To Mineral County investigators: Have any of Rebekah's bank cards or credit cards been used since she vanished? Did she withdraw a significant amount of money from her bank account prior to her disappearance? Has her SSN been used, or her health records accessed?

It has been stated in social media that police say Rebekah's husband is not considered a suspect. Investigators never dismiss anyone as a "suspect" or "person of interest" in a murder investigation or missing persons case until the case is solved (well, that is what they do in places like big cities). She is listed as a missing person on the state website. Please make a public statement to clarify. Do you consider this a simple drowning, a suicide or a voluntary disappearance? If so, why aren't other possibilities being considered? Threats were made against Rebekah and her dog. A court appearance was scheduled in an abuse case against her husband. What more do you need? Surely criminal activity must be considered a possibility in light of this information.

Does the Mineral County Sheriff's Department have a detective, or just highway patrol chasing drug smugglers and speeders? How much experience do they have investigating murders?

In some parts of my country, women and girls who disappear along highways known for criminal activity are considered "high risk". Riding a bicycle on a dirt road near one of these routes? High risk. It's not the activity itself, but the risk implicit in being near the criminals and criminal activity along the highway.

 

[Gina20]

Elected law enforcement is something we don't do, due to the potential for conflict of interest. This is even stranger to me. Isn't it a conflict of interest to run a security guard company and work as a private investigator on the side, while serving as sheriff? IDK -- were these entities placed into a blind trust for the duration, or are they still active?

I thought the name was familiar.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/missing-airdrie-man-private-investigator-mike-toth-1.4887842


Q: What is the family hoping you can accomplish that the sheriff's office can't?

One is to help interpret the sheriff's office and deal with law enforcement and kind of be the go-between for them.

Also to follow up on leads the family gets that the sheriff's office is maybe not that interested in.

In the beginning, the sheriff's office obviously did a pretty good search, but now that it's a month out, they're starting to wind down their search for him. The family obviously wants to keep the search going, so that's my job now — to keep the volunteers going and assist with searching....

We've had psychics reach out to us. We've had family members tell us stuff and friends tell us stuff.

I guess what happens in Billings is not allowed to happen in Mineral County, MT. What's good for the gander is not good for the goose. Psychics, even!

The sad ending is here.

Three years later, mother still seeks answers in son's death during Montana wedding trip - AirdrieToday.com

 

[Steve McQueen]

Thank you for putting that together, both are very helpful narratives to follow. Since Rebekah has been missing for so long, I admit the information I receive has become more limited. I don't know much more than the original facts I stated in my first post here. All I can keep thinking is somebody knows something. The reward was raised to $12,000.00. We have attempted to reach out to the Oregon family that called 911 with no luck. I still haven't received a recording or transcript of that call that I requested under FOIA. We don't think there is an Oregon family. So who called 911? Do they hold the key to any answers? Why is LE so uncooperative? Why do they insist on only their one scenerio? I always thought LE looked at all angles. Everything should be on the table right now. It simply appears LE is not interested in finding Rebekah. Why not?

I agree that the 911 call is an important piece of the puzzle. By federal law, LE has 20 days to respond to your FOIA request. If it has been longer than 20 days you should file a complaint with the DOJ. Could DB have placed the 911 call himself? If so, this suggests that the whole thing was a premeditated. RB was easily lured to Superior to pick up some personal items by DB's caretaker. The question is how did they make sure she went to the Alberton Rocks? Did the caretaker suggest it? Perhaps it was one of RB's favorite spots. The 911 call, like @Gina20 suggested, could have been placed with a burner phone. It might be a long shot, but getting the details of the 911 call might get the attention of somebody in LE. Maybe the DA's Office?

 

[Gina20]

I agree that the 911 call is an important piece of the puzzle. By federal law, LE has 20 days to respond to your FOIA request. If it has been longer than 20 days you should file a complaint with the DOJ. Could DB have placed the 911 call himself? If so, this suggests that the whole thing was a premeditated. RB was easily lured to Superior to pick up some personal items by DB's caretaker. The question is how did they make sure she went to the Alberton Rocks? Did the caretaker suggest it? Perhaps it was one of RB's favorite spots. The 911 call, like @Gina20 suggested, could have been placed with a burner phone. It might be a long shot, but getting the details of the 911 call might get the attention of somebody in LE. Maybe the DA's Office?

Since no one saw Rebekah at the highway stop, what is to say that someone didn't drive her car there, with her cellphone, and stage the scene? If there is no proof of Rebekah herself, I do not believe she was there.

Even cellphones can be modified. See story link about deceased Canadian man in Billings. What is the date and time stamp on her phone for the dog video? Forensic analysis of the phone needed.

 

[Gina20]

Can someone lead me to a link about the ethics standards for Montana sheriffs? TIA. Specifically, is it within the rules to be a sheriff and run a PI company simultaneously in the same state, potentially reviewing the same cases in both the public domain and for-profit private roles? My mind boggles. I don't understand your system.

 

[Steve McQueen]

Since no one saw Rebekah at the highway stop, what is to say that someone didn't drive her car there, with her cellphone, and stage the scene? If there is no proof of Rebekah herself, I do not believe she was there.

Even cellphones can be modified. See story link about deceased Canadian man in Billings. What is the date and time stamp on her phone for the dog video? Forensic analysis of the phone needed.

Seems unlikely as there is video on her phone showing her there at the beach training her dog. It's pretty clear she was there, but her clothes, cell phone and dog lease might have been staged after the crime.

 

[Gina20]

Seems unlikely as there is video on her phone showing her there at the beach training her dog. It's pretty clear she was there, but her clothes, cell phone and dog lease might have been staged after the crime.

I think it would be very helpful for a professional to look at the date and time stamp on the video, and make a forensic examination. An average person would not be able to make a determination of manipulated data.

Given what is known about the Alberta man who disappeared in Billings, cellphone manipulation is a distinct possibility when people go missing in or near Montana waterways. Very strange. I wonder why.

 

[Steve McQueen]

I think it would be very helpful for a professional to look at the date and time stamp on the video, and make a forensic examination. An average person would not be able to make a determination of manipulated data.

Given what is known about the man who disappeared in Billings, cellphone manipulation is a distinct possibility when people go missing in or near Montana waterways. Very strange. I wonder why.

I'm pretty LE professionals examined her phone. No one has disputed that the was at the Alberton Rocks that afternoon.

 

[laurawlms]

So here is a question: did Rebekah ever seek help at a domestic violence shelter in the area? Did she ever ask for safekeeping from an animal shelter, or put Cerberus in a private kennel for a while? Did she take him to other area vets? Did she confide in someone who might be willing to swear an affidavit? These actions might provide clues and useful information for later. These people and organizations could be allies.

I can partially answer this. I was told Rebekah did confide in a crimes victim advocate but it is my understanding the information can not be shared in court??? I am not sure if she ever attempted to seek help from the domestic violence center.

 

[laurawlms]

Four months have passed since Rebekah disappeared. It is true that most people who drown in the Clark Fork River seem to be found within hours or days. I've checked the news stories. The cases mentioned above all involved a lag time, and they all have oddities. No one seems to know how or why the two men ended up where they did, or no one is saying anything publicly. As for the woman, she was murdered.

To Mineral County investigators: Have any of Rebekah's bank cards or credit cards been used since she vanished? Did she withdraw a significant amount of money from her bank account prior to her disappearance? Has her SSN been used, or her health records accessed?

It has been stated in social media that police say Rebekah's husband is not considered a suspect. Investigators never dismiss anyone as a "suspect" or "person of interest" in a murder investigation or missing persons case until the case is solved (well, that is what they do in places like big cities). She is listed as a missing person on the state website. Please make a public statement to clarify. Do you consider this a simple drowning, a suicide or a voluntary disappearance? If so, why aren't other possibilities being considered? Threats were made against Rebekah and her dog. A court appearance was scheduled in an abuse case against her husband. What more do you need? Surely criminal activity must be considered a possibility in light of this information.

Does the Mineral County Sheriff's Department have a detective, or just highway patrol chasing drug smugglers and speeders? How much experience do they have investigating murders?

In some parts of my country, women and girls who disappear along highways known for criminal activity are considered "high risk". Riding a bicycle on a dirt road near one of these routes? High risk. It's not the activity itself, but the risk implicit in being near the criminals and criminal activity along the highway.

Mineral County has, I believe, 6 deputies and the Sheriff, no detectives on staff. Back in July there were 3 Deputies and the Sheriff.

 

[laurawlms]

Elected law enforcement is something we don't do, due to the potential for conflict of interest. This is even stranger to me. Isn't it a conflict of interest to run a security guard company and work as a private investigator on the side, while serving as sheriff? IDK -- were these entities placed into a blind trust for the duration, or are they still active?

I thought the name was familiar.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/missing-airdrie-man-private-investigator-mike-toth-1.4887842


Q: What is the family hoping you can accomplish that the sheriff's office can't?

One is to help interpret the sheriff's office and deal with law enforcement and kind of be the go-between for them.

Also to follow up on leads the family gets that the sheriff's office is maybe not that interested in.

In the beginning, the sheriff's office obviously did a pretty good search, but now that it's a month out, they're starting to wind down their search for him. The family obviously wants to keep the search going, so that's my job now — to keep the volunteers going and assist with searching....

We've had psychics reach out to us. We've had family members tell us stuff and friends tell us stuff.

I guess what happens in Billings is not allowed to happen in Mineral County, MT. What's good for the gander is not good for the goose. Psychics, even!

The sad ending is here.

Three years later, mother still seeks answers in son's death during Montana wedding trip - AirdrieToday.com

How can we be sure this is the same Mike Toth as Sheriff Michael Toth of Mineral County?