THE search for a 27-year-old woman who went missing while horseback riding has intensified after deputies located her horse and cell phone.
Meghan Rouns was last seen leaving her home in Helena, Montana, at about 2 pm on October 4 and headed to the McMaster Hills Recreation Area to go horseriding.
However, by 8 pm, Rouns’ family grew concerned when she had not returned home.
Rouns’ father quickly reported his daughter missing to the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies launched a search effort on the site where Rouns’ cell phone last pinged.
Investigators said Rouns was last active on social media at around 4:20 pm on Friday when she uploaded a photo on her Snapchat account.
Rouns’ truck was found parked at a trailhead in the McMaster Hills Recreation area, Sheriff Captain Brian Robinson said.
ROUNS’ HORSE FOUND
On Saturday, a search crew located Rouns’ horse up the hill from Hauser Lake, where her cell phone’s GPS pinged, according to NBC affiliate KTVH-TV.
“Her horse was found just up the hill from the lake, so this has become our primary area to search from the evidence we have gathered,” Willy Wegner, the operations lieutenant of Lewis and Clark County Search and Rescue, told the outlet.
“As we search areas, the more we search it, the lower probability the area becomes, so then we will move to another area.”
Rouns’ cell phone was also found in a saddle bag, the outlet reported.
The Clark County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The U.S. Sun.
Her horse was found just up the hill from the lake, so this has become our primary area to search from the evidence we have gathered.
Willy Wegner, operations lieutenant of Lewis and Clark County Search and Rescue.
Several police agencies have assisted the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office in its search for Rouns.
The Helena Police Department and Malmstrom Air Force Base have launched drones and helicopters to cover the aerial radius.
Sunday’s search efforts were prioritized on Hauser Lake near where Rouns’ horse was found.
A robotic-operated vehicle and divers were seen combing the waters, according to KTVH-TV.
Family members of Rouns expressed their gratitude toward Lewis and Clark County deputies for their tireless effort.
“We can’t express enough appreciation for the search efforts and resources out at the site,” a relative of Rouns wrote on Facebook.
“A huge thank you to Lewis & County Sheriff’s Office, Leo Dutton, and Lewis & Clark Search & Rescue for the coordination of the search.
“It has been a non stop effort to find Meghan. We also want to say thank to members of the community who have brought food and drinks out or offered their help in any way. The love and support shows how incredible our community is.”
Rouns was last seen wearing blue jeans, a black shirt, and possibly a gray hoodie and baseball cap.
Meghan Rouns disappearance timeline
Meghan Rouns, 27, was last seen on October 4, leaving her house in Helena, Montana, en route to the McMaster Hills Recreation Area to go horseriding.
Timeline:
- 2 pm, October 4: Rouns’ father said his daughter left their home and headed to the McMaster Hills Recreation Area to go horseback riding.
- 4:20 pm, October 4: Lewis & Clark Sheriff deputies said Rouns shared a photo on her Snapchat account.
- 8 pm, October 4: Rouns’ father reports his daughter missing after she failed to return home.
- October 5: Search teams locate Rouns’ horse up the hill from Hauser Lake at McMaster Hill.
- October 5: Deputies find Rouns’ cell phone inside a saddle bag.
- October 6: A search team prioritized Hauser Lake near where Rouns’ horse was found. A robotic-operated vehicle and divers were seen combing the waters.