(UPDATE, 9:35 p.m.) Lewis & Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton has released more details about the search for a missing woman.
A news release says that the missing woman is 27-year old Meghan Rouns.
On Friday October 4, at about 8:05 pm, the 911 center received a phone call from Meghan's father, saying she had been riding in the Eagle Bay area east of Helena, on the west side of the Missouri River. She had been missing since 2 PM. The last time the parent saw her, she was wearing jeans and riding attire, and told relatives she was going horseback riding in that area.
Sheriff Dutton said ground units and water units have been searching the area, along with assistance from the the Montana Air National Guard and Mercy Flight from Great Falls.
Drones from the Helena Police Department, Helena Fire, and IFlyBigSky are also searching, along with Elkhorn SAR from Jefferson County with a ground team, as well as as dog teams.
Malmstrom Air Force Base is sending a helicopter to assist on Sunday.
Sheriff Dutton says the last known contact anyone had with Meghan was at about 4:20 pm on Friday when she took a picture on SnapChat. She was last known to be wearing blue jeans, a black shirt, possibly a grey hoodie and a ball cap.
Her horse was found early on Saturday morning, and her phone was located in a saddle bag; investigators are utilizing data on that phone to locate areas of interest.
If you want to help, please check in at the command post located at the Eastside McMasters Trailhead.
(1st REPORT, 11:50 a.m.) The Lewis & Clark County Sheriff's Office is searching for an adult female horseback rider in the McMaster Hills Recreation Area several miles northeast of Helena.
Search & Rescue units from Lewis & Clark County and Jefferson County are on the ground.
Drones from several law enforcement agencies are searching by air.
A helicopter from Great Falls has also been called in to assist.
Officials will be active in the recreation area throughout the majority of the day.
If you have information or would like to offer assistance, please call 406-219-7380.
No other details have been released at this point, including the name of the missing woman.
We will update you if we get more information.
