4 People Found Dead in Apparent Triple Murder-Suicide in Montana: Police

Lorenz Duchamps
By Lorenz Duchamps
July 1, 2020US News
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4 People Found Dead in Apparent Triple Murder-Suicide in Montana: Police
Crime scene with police tape. (Mark Makela/Getty Images)

Four people were found dead in Montana in what appears to be a triple murder-suicide, Flathead County Sheriff Brian Heino said Tuesday.

Heino identified three of the victims as Emily Lynn Barge, 42; her 3-year-old daughter Piper Jocelyn Barge; and Cody Brian Nevins, 41, who is believed to be Emily’s boyfriend.

The three victims are believed to have been stabbed to death by 39-year-old Kameron Barge, who was found dead by detectives away from the crime scene, local outlet Whitefish Pilot reported.

Another child, reportedly Emily’s 7-year-old daughter, was found safe and is in the care of Child Protective Services, the outlet reported.

“At this time the incident is being investigated as a homicide where three victims were located inside of the residence,” the sheriff’s office said in a release. “A fourth subject was located away from the residence.”

Officers responded to the residence on Old Church Road near Olney in northwest Montana after a neighbor called emergency services early Tuesday morning around 7 a.m., police said.

The suspect was found dead from an apparent gunshot wound. He drove away in his truck following the alleged stabbing and was found dead about a half mile away from his truck, Whitefish Pilot reported, citing Heino.

“It’s a horrific scene, one of the worst I’ve seen,” the sheriff said.

Kameron was Emily’s ex-husband, who had an “active restraining order against him,” NBC Montana reported, citing law enforcement officials. “We have had contact with them before.”

The stabbing is believed to have happened late on Monday or early Tuesday. All of the deceased were taken to the Montana State Crime Lab as the investigation continues.

“This is a very horrific event, especially when you’re dealing with small children, it affects every one of us. A lot of times when we’re dealing with these, we have to be really conscientious of our folks out there investigating,” Heino said.

Authorities said the family members are being notified and additional information will follow as the investigation continues. Police said there is no apparent danger to the public.

Olney is a census-designated place in Flathead County about 20 miles northwest of Whitefish in Montana.

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