Charges against a Billings man, whose ex-wife's dead body was recently found in the Yellowstone River, have now been dropped.
The body of Susan Casey, 34, of Glendive was found May 6th in the Yellowstone River near Fallon.
Casey had been missing since April 12th.
Her ex-husband, Walter Larson of Billings, was arrested April 14th for violating a restraining order Casey had filed against him.
Court records say he made 44 calls to her phone in the days before she disappeared.
Now those charges have been dismissed.
Dawson County Attorney Scott Herring confirmed to Montana's News Station that Dawson County Justice of the Peace Ed Williamson dismissed the charges on Monday after prosecutors filed a motion to dismiss.
Herring says defense attorneys argued that Larson had never received a notice of the restraining order and that he therefore should not be held liable for violating the order.
Meanwhile, the investigation into Susan Casey's case and what authorities are calling a "suspicious death" continues.
Click here to view more about the Susan Casey case
(From the archives)
A Glendive woman has now been missing for nearly a week and a half and now a court order forcing her ex-husband to appear in court is facing another delay.
Susan Casey, 34, has been missing since April 12th.
She was last seen early that Saturday morning in downtown Glendive.
Officials suspended the search effort last Thursday after searching nearly 1700 miles.
Meanwhile, The Dawson County Justice Court clerk's office says it could be May before her ex-husband Walter Larson can be seen by a judge because both the District Judge and the Dawson County Justice of the Peace have been out of town.
A hearing for Larson has been cancelled until the Justice of the Peace returns and sets a hearing date.
Hit television show "America's Most Wanted" has also taken up the case.
(From the Archives)
The search for a missing woman from Glendive has been suspended as her ex-husband awaits a court appearance.
Officials made the decision to suspend the search for Susan Casey, 34, because authorities have found no new leads since she disappeared this past Saturday.
Volunteers used ATV's to search for the Casey along Interstate 94 just outside Glendive on Thursday. Other searched for her on horseback, while volunteers also checked the Yellowstone River for the missing mother of four children.
After checking more than 1,700 square miles in Dawson County, Dawson County Sheriff Craig Anderson announced that the search will be put on hold until new information surfaces that can lead authorities to a more specific location.
The Sheriff thanked all of the volunteers, adding "we ask that your continued thoughts and prayers be with Susan, her children, and their family during this time".
Casey's ex-husband was arrested in Billings on Monday for violating an order of protection against her. He now has 10 days to appear in Glendive city court.
(from April 17, 2008)
The Dawson County Sheriff's Office is temporarily suspending search efforts for Susan Marie Casey, 34.
The decision was made Thursday afternoon to suspend the organized search until new info can lead them to a specific area or new location. Casey has been missing since Saturday.
Dawson County Undersheriff Rich Rowe says the decision was made with the families blessing. Rowe declined to elaborate or take questions in an on camera interview but said they have searched 1700 of the 2300 miles of Dawson County.
In a prepared statement Dawson County Sheriff Craig Anderson said; "we feel very confident in our efforts thus far and would like to thank the hundreds of people who have assisted us." He added if assistance is needed again they will put out a notice to the public. Anderson added; "we ask your continued thoughts and prayers to be with Susan, her children, and their family during this time."
You can find more information at dawsoncountymontana.org.
(From April 16, 2008)
A man has been arrested in connection with the disappearance of a Glendive woman.
Meanwhile, a massive search is under way in Dawson County, and along the Interstate 94 corridor, between Glendive and Billings, for Susan Casey, 34.
She was last seen early Saturday morning in Glendive and her silver minivan was located in Billings.
The investigation into Casey's disappearance led to the arrest of Walter Larson, 37, of Billings on Monday.
He was taken into custody for violating a restraining order Casey filed against him in Dawson County in November 1998. He posted bond and was released and ordered to appear in Dawson County Justice Court within 10 days.
Casey is described as being 5'3" tall, weighing 125 pounds, with straight blond hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing a white hooded sweatshirt with writing on the front and stripes down the sleeves, blue jeans and tennis shoes.
If you have any information about the disappearance, call the Dawson County Sheriff's Office at (406) 377-5291.
(from April 15, 2008)
Police in Glendive are looking for a missing woman whose mini van was found in Billings.
Susan Casey, 34, was last seen early Saturday in downtown Glendive. While her minivan has since been in Billings since then, police are not releasing further details about the case.
Casey is described as being 5'3" tall, weighing 125 pounds, and has straight blond hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing a white hooded sweatshirt with writing on the front and stripes down the sleeves, blue jeans and tennis shoes.
Anyone with information about Casey's whereabouts is asked to contact the Dawson County Sheriff's Office at (406) 377-5291.
