MISSOULA — Dental records have confirmed that the body recovered on May 17, 2022, from the Clark Fork River, near River Bend Road, is that of Rebekah Barsotti, according to Mineral County Sheriff Mike Toth.
Barsotti, 34 years old, was last seen on July 20, 2021, at the Town Pump in the town of Superior, preparing to hike along the Clark Fork River in Mineral County along with her dog Cerberus.
On July 21, she was reported missing, and an extensive water, ground, and air search began with resources from four counties and Two Bear Air.
Cerberus was found dead several days later about ten miles downstream from where Mineral County Sheriff Mike Toth believes both went into the water.
Her vehicle and some personal items were located at at mile marker 71 by the Clark Fork River near Alberton.
Combined, more than 2,000 hours were dedicated to the search.
Sheriff Toth told MTN: "I said if it's Rebekah, then it's going to match what we said. It exactly is that. She drowned and she got stuck somewhere in the river, and as I had said from day one, once spring runoff comes, it’ll swoosh up and move her more and move her against the bank, and then once that spring runoff came and the river was high, it lowered again and left it there, so that was my first thought. But again, we couldn't be positive until we heard from the [State] Crime Lab."
The Sheriff's Office is continuing to investigate the cause and circumstances surrounding her death.
Mineral County Sheriff’s Office thanked all those who assisted with the search and recovery, including Superior Fire, Missoula County Sheriff’s Office, Mineral County Search and Rescue, Missoula County Search and Rescue, Kootenai County Search and Rescue, Flathead County Search and Rescue, and Two Bear Air.
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