Accused sex offender drowning
Sex offender drowns Flathead North Fork.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
On the 20th of June, the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office received a tip regarding the possible whereabouts of 35-year-old Steven Jeffrey O’Shields, a wanted fugitive from Franklin, North Carolina. O’Shields had outstanding felony warrants for burglary, theft of services, obstruction of law enforcement, and sexual battery against a child in North Carolina. He was also known to be a non-compliant sexual offender.
Despite initial efforts to locate O’Shields after the tip, deputies were unsuccessful. However, on the 21st of June, a report came in that O’Shields was spotted at the Big Creek Campground in the North Fork area, carrying a sleeping bag on foot. Deputies responded to the scene and found O’Shields walking south on the North Fork Road near mile marker 11.
Foot Pursuit and Tragic End
Upon making contact with O’Shields, he immediately fled into the woods, heading eastbound towards the Flathead River. A short foot pursuit ensued, with deputies witnessing O’Shields wading into the river and moving downstream. Despite efforts to reach him, O’Shields went out of sight around a bend in the river just south of Glacier Rim.
With the assistance of Two Bear Air Rescue, O’Shields’ body was later found submerged in the water north of Blankenship Bridge. North Valley Search and Rescue boat crews were able to recover the body, which was then handed over to the Flathead County Coroner’s Office. The body was transported to the Montana State Crime Lab in Missoula for autopsy and identification on the 24th of June.
Investigation Underway
The Montana Department of Criminal Investigation is currently looking into the circumstances surrounding O’Shields’ death at the request of the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office. The tragic incident has left many questions unanswered, and authorities are working to piece together the events leading up to O’Shields’ demise.
As the investigation unfolds, more details may emerge regarding the events that transpired on that fateful day in the Flathead River. The community remains on edge as they come to terms with the shocking turn of events involving the wanted fugitive from North Carolina.
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Accused sex offender drowns
Sex offender drowns Flathead North Fork.
