Arrest made, body recovered in search for missing Ronan man
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LAKE COUNTY — A 70-year-old Polson man, James Lawrence, has been arrested and is being held in the Lake County Jail in connection with the death of 67-year-old Ed Loder of Ronan.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office took a report of Loder as a missing person on Wednesday, Sept. 4 at 12:30 p.m. Upon investigating, authorities found evidence near Loder’s home on Timberlane Road east of Ronan that led to them to believe Loder may have been assaulted and injured. Following the arrest of Lawrence, who Sheriff Don Bell said cooperated with the investigation, the body of Loder was recovered at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 6 in the area of Twin Lakes southeast of St. Ignatius. Loder’s body is being transported to the Montana State Crime Lab for autopsy.
Lawrence faces charges of homicide and tampering with evidence. Further information was not available as of press time.
According to a press release issued by Sheriff Bell, “The Sheriff’s Office would like to extend our gratitude to the Montana Highway Patrol, Flathead Tribal Police and Game Wardens, Lake County Search and Rescue, Flathead County Search and Rescue and the many others not mentioned who aided in this investigation. We would also like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Loder.”
