Trial date set for second suspect in Loder murder

Judge Molly Owen set a trial date of Nov. 3 for the second suspect in the murder of Ronan resident Edwin Loder, who was allegedly murdered last August near his home on Timberlane Road.

On Wednesday June 4, Jonathan Michael Drennan-Beck, 30, entered a plea of not guilty in District Court in Polson to conspiracy (deliberate homicide) and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence on behalf of the accused perpetrator, James Lawrence, 70. Drennan-Beck allegedly helped move Loder’s body from the crime scene to the Jocko area.

Lawrence is charged with deliberate homicide and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence. His trial was initially set for March 3, but was pushed back to October, according to Lake County Attorney James Lapotka.

The case began with a missing persons complaint filed on Sept. 4, 2024, noting that Loder hadn’t been seen since Aug. 30, 2024. Blood was identified in an area east of Loder’s residence on Timberlane Road and at least five 9mm shell casings were found near the blood.

A pair of bloody eyeglasses were located in a ditch nearby, and Lake County Search and Rescue members began an immediate search of the area. The size of the search party increased to include teams on horseback and on foot, and the use of drones. The search ended around 11 p.m. that night.

Investigators also searched the Loder residence and located a will that named the missing man as the beneficiary of the Mendenhall estate, which includes 80 acres of land adjacent to the Loder property. The suspect, James Lawrence, and his wife, Debra, were each bequeathed $5,000 from the estate.

The investigation that followed included data analyzed from Loder’s cell phone to determine when and where he may have been taken. That information, coupled with coinciding camera footage from area businesses and private property, helped investigators locate the area where Loder’s body was found and identify a possible suspect in his disappearance.

Investigators used that same phone data and surveillance cameras to connect Lawrence and eventually Drennan-Beck to Loder’s death. DNA samples were also used to link Drennan-Beck to the case.

Lawrence is being held without bond. Judge Owen set Drennan-Beck’s bail at $1,000,000.