Remains of missing Ronan woman identified
KRISTI NIEMEYER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 6 months AGO
Kristi Niemeyer learned her newspaper licks at weekly newspapers, beginning at the Mission Valley News in 1981, then at the helm of the Ronan Pioneer and, eventually, as co-editor of the Lake County Leader until 1993. She launched and co-published Lively Times, a statewide arts and entertainment monthly, before returning to the Leader in 2022, and serving as its editor until July 2026. Reach her at [email protected] | February 17, 2025 11:00 PM
The human remains found Feb. 4 near Buffalo Bridge, west of Polson, have been identified by the Montana State Medical Examiner's Office as those of 54-year-old Danette Tenas, of Ronan.
Tenas was last seen Oct. 8 after she became separated from a friend after their vehicle broke down near the bridge. She was reported missing Oct. 14, 2024, and an extensive search was launched by the Lake County Sheriff's Office personnel and Tribal Police officers.
Her remains were found by Feb. 4 by a CSKT Tribal Game Warden.
The cause and manner of her death are still under investigation by the Lake County Coroner's Office.
A press release from the Lake County Sheriff expressed “our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Ms. Tenas.”
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