Man charged with deliberate homicide in Hot Springs death

A Hot Springs man has been charged with deliberate homicide in the alleged beating death of another man last week.

According to Hot Springs Police Chief Erik Pfleger, 39-year-old Aaron Eugene McLaughlin was taken into custody after officers were called to a residence afternoon of Wednesday, Oct. 7. Pfleger said McLaughlin made his initial appearance in Sanders County District Court Friday afternoon where he was charged with deliberate homicide.

McLaughlin is currently lodged in the Sanders County Jail.

Pfleger said the victim, who he wasn’t able to identify, was a Hot Springs resident in his late 50s.

Pfleger said the victim was struck several times with an object and died of massive brain hemorrhaging due to blunt force trauma.

Pfleger said there apparently was an argument before the incident. He also said both men were known to Hot Springs officers in the last year.

The Hot Springs Police Department was assisted by the Montana Department of Criminal Investigation and Sanders County Sheriff’s Office.