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Suspect arrested following 'suspicious death' in Missoula

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MISSOULA — James Edward Brown, who is facing a deliberate homicide charge after Audrey Bird was found dead in a car at a Missoula gas station over the weekend, made his first court appearance on Tuesday, November 26, 2024.

Police responded to a gas station at the corner of East Broadway and Madison on Sunday for a report of an unresponsive woman in a car.

Brown, 51 years old, has been charged with one count of deliberate homicide, one count of partner-family member assault, and one count of unlawful restraint.

Court documents state that Brown and 37-year-old Bird had known each other for several months and were together over the weekend.

Brown is accused of beating and then strangling Bird to death on or around November 24.

Court documents allege he drove to a Sinclair gas station with Bird's body in the vehicle, where she was later found by police.

Court documents state that Brown has a history of criminal behavior including domestic violence charges and a drug charge.

Brown is scheduled to appear in court again on December 9.


(1st REPORT, NOVEMBER 25, 2024) A suspect has been arrested as an investigation into a suspicious death in Missoula continues. Police responded to the 500 block of East Broadway just after 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, November 24, 2024, for reports of an unresponsive person inside a vehicle.

Suspect arrested following 'suspicious death' in Missoula

Officers found a 37-year-old woman dead inside the vehicle "with visible injuries to her face and no signs of life," according to a news release.

The name of the woman has not yet been released.

James Brown, 51 years old, was found near the vehicle and was arrested after a preliminary investigation.

Police spent several hours at the Noon's gas station at the corner of East Broadway and Madison investigating the death.

Missoula Police Department spokeswoman Whitney Bennett says Brown is being held as the Missoula County Attorney's Office determines charges in the case.



The Missoula jail roster shows Brown is now being held on pending charges of deliberate homicide and probation violation.

A secondary scene at Rimel Road was processed in connection with the case as part of the investigation.

Bennett said no other details are being released at this time as the investigation continues.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to to contact the Missoula Police Department at 406-552-6300 or Crimestoppers at 406-721-4444.