Interviews with the man charged in the homicide of Anthony Andrew Walthers on April 26 revealed his motive for allegedly throwing Walthers off the Old Steel Bridge into the Flathead River.

According to court documents, Cecil Thomas Rice, 26, told authorities Walthers had made inappropriate comments about Rice’s girlfriend, Heather Joy Meeker, 25, who was also present at the time of the incident, before he was pushed to his death from the bridge in Evergreen. Rice’s bail has been set at $500,000.

According to witness accounts, Rice drove a maroon van carrying Walthers, Meeker and a third male to the bridge. The third male contacted law enforcement a day after the incident to inform them he had been with Rice, Meeker and Walthers on the bridge and had heard Walthers go into the water before they got into the van and left the scene.

Another witness said she was fishing at the river when she heard a large splash near the bridge and saw a man, identified as Walthers, floating in the river. Walthers allegedly called out for help and was in obvious distress.

The grandson of the witness said he followed Walthers down the river until he saw his head go under and never resurface.

Authorities said they originally intended to charge Meeker with accountability to deliberate homicide but, at this time, have only charged her with tampering with evidence. Her bail is set at $50,000.

Court documents state Meeker admitted in an interview to having thrown a backpack she believed belonged to Walthers out of the van as Rice drove away from the scene to conceal it from law enforcement.

Authorities were able to identify Walthers when his backpack, containing his Arizona identification card, was found at an Episcopal church.

Due to the freezing temperatures and fast-moving water in the river that night, authorities have presumed Walthers dead, though authorities have not yet located his body. The search continues for his remains.

Arraignment for Rice and Meeker is scheduled for May 25.

Reporter Mary Cloud Taylor can be reached at 758-4459 or mtaylor@dailyinterlake.com.