A Coroner’s inquest will be scheduled regarding the death of a 46-year old Helena man over the weekend.
Lewis & Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton says the death happened on Saturday afternoon after his office received a call regarding a person making suicidal threats.
A friend of the man’s family called the Sheriff’s Office asking deputies to check on the welfare of the man, whose name has not yet been released.
About 45 minutes after the call, the Sheriff says deputies saw the man near Jo Bonner Campground in the Canyon Ferry Road area, south of Kim’s Marina.
According to Sheriff Dutton, the deputies pulled the man over at approximately 3:51 p.m. Dutton says the driver got out of the vehicle and pointed a .22 caliber pistol to his head.
Despite deputies’ efforts to talk the man into putting the weapon down, he shot himself.
The deputies’ efforts at revive him were not successful.
Sheriff Dutton says he turned over the investigation of the incident to the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation.
Since this was technically an “in custody” fatality, Anaconda/Deer Lodge Coroner Jessie Jette tells MTN an inquest is warranted.
The hearing will be scheduled after autopsy, toxicology, and other reports are completed.
Lewis & Clark County Coroner Bryan Backeberg recused himself from the case due to a family conflict.
Sheriff Dutton told MTN that he and his office extend their sympathies to the family in this case, saying these situations are never easy.
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