• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Digital News Updates
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business

Two Hunters Found Dead After Search South of Laurel

November 30, 2024

Two hunters who went missing south of Laurel on Wednesday were found dead on Thursday. The men were identified as Ray Bernard Wells, 71, of Park City, and James Rheinhart Horton, 71, of Laurel, according to Yellowstone County Deputy Coroner Rich Hoffman.

The hunters had departed from Laurel on Wednesday morning to hunt on private land. They were believed to be on or near property owned by the family of Kurt Markegard, the interim chief administrative officer for the City of Laurel. By Wednesday night, a search was underway in the area between Spring Creek Road and Price Hill Road, involving multiple agencies, friends, and family members.

The search effort included the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department, the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office, and the Air National Guard. Search teams faced challenging conditions as the hunters’ utility terrain vehicle (UTV) had rolled down a ravine. The overturned vehicle was difficult to spot, requiring aerial support to locate.

Rescuers conducted a grid search of the area, focusing on tracks in the snow and other clues. The UTV was eventually discovered at the bottom of a ravine. The men had fallen from the top of a coulee to its base, leading to their deaths.

Local officials praised the coordination and resources used in the search. The tragedy underscores the importance of teamwork among emergency responders during difficult operations. Investigations are ongoing into the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.

By: DNU staff

Filed Under: News

Related Articles:

  • President Trump Signs Senator Sheehy’s Aerial Firefighting Bill Into Law
  • UM Cadaver Lab Project Extends Learning Long After Death
  • VA slams Democrat governor for falsely claiming vets could be denied care
  • Commerce Awards Nearly $500,000 to Boost Rural Economic Growth in Montana
  • State Auditor James Brown Announces Multi-State Settlements Over Excessive Broker Commissions
  • Gallatin College MSU carpentry students build better future for local nonprofits

Primary Sidebar

Digital News Updates Logo

Recent News Posts

  • North Dakota to Celebrate Grand Opening of Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library
  • Montana Attorney General Launches Investigation into Lee Enterprises Following Cyberattack
  • VA slams Democrat governor for falsely claiming vets could be denied care
  • Montana State names 2025 presidential scholars

Recent Politics Posts

  • Gianforte Praises Supreme Court Ruling
  • Zinke Urges Interior Secretary to Act on Projected Low Flathead Lake Levels
  • Senator Daines Leads Bipartisan Push to Celebrate “Great Outdoors Month”
  • Sheehy Introduces Legislation to Compensate Service Members Discharged Over COVID Vaccine Mandate

Recent Business Posts

  • Bridger Aerospace Welcomes Executive Order to Reshape Wildland Firefighting
  • Gianforte Appoints Marta Bertoglio as Department of Commerce Director
  • Daktronics to Announce Q4 and Fiscal 2025 Results on June 25
  • Performance Engineering Earns National Honors

Copyright © 2025 Digital News Updates, All Rights Reserved.