UPDATE
MISSOULA - Missoula police are investigating the death of Leah C. Hartley after her body was found in an irrigation ditch near Grant Street on Sept. 3.
Authorities have identified the 38-year-old woman and say they believe the public is not in danger in connection with this incident.
Hartley's body was discovered just after 8 a.m. near Sixth and Grant streets.
Missoula Police Detective Captain Eddie McLean said detectives arrived on the scene shortly after the discovery.
Watch: Missoula Police Detective Captain Eddie McLean discusses the investigation
"Initially, we didn't have an identity on the person and we had to wait until the deceased was transported to the Montana State Crime Lab," McLean said.
Police have conducted multiple interviews and searched Hartley's apartment, but have not released details because the case remains active.
McLean said they are investigating this case, like all unattended deaths, as a homicide until proven otherwise to preserve evidence.
"Basically, you plan for worst-case scenario until you prove otherwise, and we're still at that stage because we don't have the medical examiner report or toxicology of the victim yet," McLean said.
While Hartley's body was found on Wednesday morning, police did not release information until Thursday night.
"There was some delay in reporting this; that delay is due to the respect to the family and the loved ones of the deceased, so that they're not finding out about the tragedy on the news," McLean said.
"Right now we don't have any information that indicates there's a danger to the public," McLean said.
The Missoula Police Department expressed condolences to Hartley's family and friends and asked that anyone with information about the case contact Missoula Police or Crime Stoppers.
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ORIGINAL REPORT
MISSOULA - Authorities have released the name of a woman whose body was found in a Missoula irrigation ditch on September 3.
Missoula County Sheriff and Coroner Jeremiah Petersen has identified the woman as 38-year-old Leah C. Hartley, of Missoula.
Hartley's body was found in an irrigation waterway near Grant Street and South 6th Street West.
Anyone with information about the incident to contact the Missoula Police Department at 406-552-6300 and reference case #2025-38563.
