Suspected homicide victim found, Polson man arrested in connection

Lake County Sheriff’s Office recovered the body of 67-year-old Ed Loder in the Twin Lakes area southeast of St. Ignatius on Friday, Sept. 6 with the cooperation of homicide suspect James Lawrence of Polson.

The afternoon of Wednesday, Sept. 4, dispatchers took a report of a missing person, Loder, who had last been contacted Aug. 30. 

“The circumstances of the missing person [were] suspicious due to evidence being located near his home that led investigators to believe Ed may have been assaulted and injured,” Lake County Sheriff Don Bell said in a press release. Law enforcement asked for tips concerning suspicious activity near Loder’s home on Timberlane Road east of Ronan. 

Around-the-clock investigation by the Sheriff’s Office continued through Sept. 6.  The suspect, 70-year-old Lawrence, was identified and is being held in Lake County Jail for homicide and tampering with evidence. Loder’s body has been transported to Montana State Crime Lab for autopsy.  

“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,” Bell said.