Whitefish murder suspect jailed for Lake County assault

The primary suspect in a murder investigation in Whitefish appeared in Polson District Court April 10 on domestic abuse charges involving the same alleged victim, Kaylee Hale. 

John Philip Donaldson, 44, is charged with misdemeanor charges of partner or family member assault and obstructing justice. He is also charged with felony assault on a peace or judicial officer.

His appearance in court April 10 was on a petition to revoke bond, which is set at $50,000. His attorney, Ashley Young with the Missoula Public Defender’s Office, requested an own-recognizance release.

Prosecutor Lori Adams with the Lake County Attorney’s Office objected and indicated that the alleged victim in this case is now deceased and that Whitefish Police suspect she was murdered by asphyxiation. Adams also indicated that duct tape may have been involved and that Donaldson is the primary suspect in her suspicious death.

The Lake County charges stem from an incident that occurred Dec. 30, 2023, at Mission Meadows RV Park in Ronan. According to charging documents, law enforcement responded to a report that “a male had ripped a girl out of a camper and threw her to the ground” at a rental spot at the park.

When deputies arrived, they located Donaldson in a vehicle, and he refused orders to exit. Donaldson allegedly fought so vigorously with deputies as they tried to remove him, that they all went to the ground.

Witnesses told the deputies that Donaldson had pulled Hale from the camper. Another witness described how Donaldson “hovered” over Hale as she screamed and cried while on the ground. The deputies also observed how these witnesses helped Hale get off the ground as she was a paraplegic. Bruising and other injuries were documented on her.

On Jan. 4, the defendant posted bond, and on Jan. 9, the court ordered that he be released on his own recognizance under the condition that he have no contact with the victim. 

On March 28, Deputy Lake County Attorney Lori Adams asked that his recognizance bond be forfeited and revoked, that the court issue a warrant for his arrest, and that his bond be set at $50,000. In her request, Adams outlined the circumstances of the suspicious death in Whitefish. 

On March 27, Whitefish Police had been contacted by Ryan Peabody, an attorney who was calling on behalf of Donaldson, who was registered and staying in a camper at the Whitefish RV park. Upon arrival, Sgt. Dave Herman located Peabody and Donaldson standing outside the trailer.

Donaldson had contacted Peabody directly and informed him there was a deceased female in the trailer identified as Hale. Donaldson was allegedly reluctant to speak to Sgt. Herman, but did indicate that Hale had "fallen" into the bathroom door and died sometime overnight. 

A coroner’s warrant had to be issued by the Flathead County Sheriff’s office when Donaldson invoked his right to self-incrimination as advised by Peabody. Hale's death is under investigation by Whitefish Polson, and no charges had been filed in Flathead County as of press time.

Donaldson remains in the Lake County Jail with bond set at $50,000 and a trial date on assault charges set for July 15.