Justice for Kaylee Hale delayed due to no-show

John Philip Donaldson, the primary suspect in the death of Kaylee Hale, failed to appear in District Court in Polson March 24 for a trial on domestic abuse charges dating back to Dec. 30, 2023. The Lake County Attorney’s Office issued a warrant for his arrest in the amount of $200,000.

Donaldson, 45 and formerly of Dixon, is charged with misdemeanor charges of partner or family member assault and obstructing justice, as well as felony assault on a peace or judicial officer. He's also the primary suspect in the suspicious death of Hale. 

Donaldson appeared in court April 10, 2024, on a petition to revoke bond, which was set at $50,000. His attorney at that time, 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, indicating that the alleged victim in this case was deceased and that Whitefish Police suspected she was murdered by asphyxiation. Adams also indicated that duct tape may have been involved, and that Donaldson was the primary suspect in her suspicious death.

Donaldson was jailed, and released after he posted bond again. His trial on the domestic abuse and assault charges in Lake County has been rescheduled three times, most recently for March 24, with Adams as prosecutor. 

The Lake County charges stem from an incident that occurred on 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. He 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 the alleged victim 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. Officers documented that she had bruising and other injuries.

On Jan. 4, 2024, 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, 2024, 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 that petition, Adams outlined the circumstances of Hale’s suspicious death in Whitefish.

On March 27 of last year, 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 a Whitefish RV park. Upon arrival, Sgt. 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 reluctant to speak to Sgt. Herman, but did indicate that she had fallen and died some time over night.

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.

Donaldson made his last appearance in District Court in Polson Feb. 26 via Zoom from Boise, Idaho.

Authorities in Flathead County have not filed any charges against Donaldson.

Hale's family continues to seek justice for their daughter, sister and mom, and has expressed frustration with the lack of accountability in the case, and lack of communication from law enforcement in both counties. They organized a "Justice for Kaylee" demonstration Feb. 26 on the courthouse lawn in Polson.

The victim's father, Randy Mattson, told a reporter then, "Anything we know about what happened to my daughter is what has come out in the newspaper. We want transparency.