Investigation of 2018 Sanders County homicide continues
Western Montana law enforcement officials are seeking the public's help as they continue to investigate a two-year-old homicide.
The case began at about 11 p.m. Oct. 5, 2018, when 49-year-old William Patrick Conko Camel was shot to death on Frank McClure Street in Agency, just north of Dixon, in Sanders County.
Sanders County was assisted in the initial investigation by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Police, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the Montana Highway Patrol.
According to a press release from Sanders County Attorney Naomi Leisz, Det. Martin Spring of the Sanders County Sheriff Department has conducted a thorough investigation despite the challenges presented by the circumstances of the case. Although it has been two years since Camel's death, the case remains an active and on-going homicide investigation.
According to media reports, the county Sheriff's Office issued a press release saying it had identified three persons of interest and was trying to find them. Investigators said there was no threat to the public, but no arrests have been made.
Other media reports detailed efforts by Conko Camel's family to find his killer.
When a man named Preston Rossbach was arrested in connection with a double murder at a Missoula hotel a few weeks after Camel's death, Camel family members attended his arraignment and said they believed the suspect was also involved in Camel's death.
Rossbach recently was sentenced to 60 years for his involvement in the double murder after a jury found him guilty earlier this year.
On July 16, Spring reached out to CSKT officials to request assistance with the investigation. CSKT Chief of Police Craige Couture has pledged that the Tribal Police will help in any way they can.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call Det. Spring at 406-827-6936 or CSKT Investigator Les Clairmont at 406-675-2700, ext. 1190. Information can be provided anonymously by calling Det. Spring at 406-880-1571 or Chief Couture, Tribal Police Chief, at 406-675-4700.