Police investigate link in Agency, Missoula homicides

Detectives are investigating a possible connection between a double homicide in Missoula on Oct. 19 and a shooting death in Sanders County on Oct. 5.

On Wednesday, Missoula Police Detective Guy Baker told the Daily Inter Lake that Sanders County law enforcement believes one of the men Missoula officers arrested as a suspect in the double murder also is a suspect in the murder of Bill Conko Camel near Dixon.

In the Missoula case, Jason Flink, 23, and Megan McLaughlin, 31, were found dead Oct. 19 at the Mountain Valley Inn. A third person was “seriously wounded by gunfire,” according to a press release from Missoula Police Sgt. Travis Welsh.

Suspects in the Missoula murders, Preston Rossbach, 18, and Jonathan Whitworth, 27, made initial court appearances last week in Missoula County on two counts each of accountability for deliberate homicide or alternate charges of two counts of deliberate homicide. Both suspects are currently at the Missoula County Jail, each on a $250,000 bond.

Jordan Kilby, of the Missoula County Attorney’s Office, said that while the motive for the double homicide is under investigation, drug activity is suspected.

The Sanders County shooting death in the small town of Agency was first reported in a 911 call placed at 11:16 p.m. on Oct. 5. Sanders County deputies and a detective, along with Lake County deputies and tribal officers, were dispatched and found Bill Conko Camel dead at the scene.

In an Oct. 7 press release, the Sanders County Sheriff’s Office stated that it had identified three people of interest, “their whereabouts is being sought at this time. At this point the Sheriff’s Office has determined that there is not a threat to the public.”

The Sanders County Sheriff’s Office hasn’t commented publicly on the possible connection between the Missoula murders and Bill Camel’s death.

“Public safety is our number one priority,” Sanders County Sheriff Tom Rummel told the Clark Fork Valley Press last week.

“We do not want people thinking we as a department are not putting safety first. Because this is an open investigation and we are working with other agencies, we are ensuring that all leads are followed diligently and correctly by the law,” Rummel said.

Liv Camel told the Inter Lake her brother-in-law was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“He offered to give two family members a ride to their home in Agency,” she said. “After they got there, these men busted into the home and were in a fight with Bill.

“They don’t know why, but the fight escalated and one of the men went and got a gun,” Liv Camel said.

She said Bill Camel was shot several times, mostly in the back.

“It definitely wasn’t self-defense when you get shot that many times in the back,“ Liv Camel said.

She also believes there is a connection between the Missoula homicides and the death of her brother-in-law.

“We know the Sanders County Sheriff’s Office is still working on the case, but our witnesses have told us that one of the people was involved,” Liv Camel said.

A teenager with ties to Polson is also being sought in connection with the double homicide in Missoula.

Missoula Police are seeking information on the whereabouts of 18-year-old LaBenza Dawn Charlo. She is described as a Native-American female, 5-feet-8-inches tall and weighing about 140 pounds. She has brown hair and eyes, and her last known address is Polson, although she may be staying in Missoula, police said. Law enforcement says to consider her armed and dangerous, and to call local authorities as soon as possible if she is seen. Police did not elaborate on her alleged connection to the homicides.

Police said anyone with knowledge of her current whereabouts is encouraged to call 911.

Anyone with other information is asked to contact Missoula Detective Mark Blood at 406-552-6281, or Detective Devin Erickson at 406-552-6291.

Reporter Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 406-758-4441 or sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com.