A tragic incident unfolded in Montana as a 27-year-old equestrian, Meghan Rita Rouns, was found dead in the Missouri River on Tuesday afternoon. This devastating discovery came after she disappeared from a recreational trail on Friday, leaving behind her horse and cellphone.
Rouns had ventured out to a recreational area near Bozeman on Friday afternoon but had not been heard from since. Her parents reported her missing that evening after she failed to return home, leading to a search operation involving multiple agencies and community members. The search intensified when her horse and phone were found the next day near Hauser Lake.
Search and rescue divers located Rouns’ body about 100 feet from the shore in 11-foot water. The cause and manner of her death have not been determined yet, as stated by the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office. Despite ruling out foul play, Sheriff Leo Dutton suggested that the horse may have been spooked by gusty winds, leading to the tragic accident.
The sheriff’s office focused its search efforts around Hauser Lake due to the location of the horse, conducting searches on foot, horseback, and via drone. However, these efforts proved unsuccessful until the discovery of Rouns’ body in the Missouri River. The family and husband of the deceased were present during the search along the river, underscoring the emotional toll of this loss.
The community mourns the untimely death of Meghan Rita Rouns, a young woman with a passion for horseback riding. The circumstances surrounding her disappearance and tragic demise serve as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of life and the importance of safety measures in outdoor activities. May her soul rest in peace, and may her loved ones find solace in this difficult time.
