Vaska admits to killing his mother

A Polson man, accused of killing his mother, admitted to deliberate homicide with a dangerous weapon in District Court in Polson Aug. 6. Garrett Edward Vaska, 48, entered the plea as part of an agreement that could dismiss one count of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence at sentencing.

The agreement did not include a sentence recommendation, meaning Vaska will be at the mercy of the court, and could face the maximum penalty.

According to charging documents, sometime between Aug. 28 and Sept. 6, 2023, Vaska stabbed his mother, Phillista St. John, multiple times, causing her death. He then attempted to conceal the crime by putting her body in garbage bags and storing it under blankets in a room of her residence where it remained for several days.

Investigators noted that the body had started to decompose. Pillows and other bedding were covered in large amount of blood, inconsistent with a natural death. A bloody knife with a missing tip on the blade was located within the home, along with several other knives. During an autopsy, a tip of a knife was located in the victim’s skull.

The investigation began with a welfare check by tribal healthcare providers with the Confederated and Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Suspicious circumstances led the healthcare workers to contact law enforcement, which resulted in the discovery of St. John.

Judge Molly Owen set sentencing for Oct. 7, a Tuesday, which is outside of a regular law and motion day to accommodate what could be a long hearing according to both the state and defense. Vaska remains in custody with bail set at $250,000.