RED LODGE, Mont. (NMB) – Red Lodge Fire and Rescue says that a hiker that has been missing in the wilderness since July 1st is now presumed to be dead.
The extensive search for Tatum Morell, a 23-year-old Montana State University graduate student, began when she failed to return from a hike in the Beartooth Mountains on July 5th.
Morell’s last known communication was via satellite with her mother on July 1st.
Her tent was found near Shadow Lake by searchers, but the only signs of her were items left in the tent. It has been determined she left the tent on July 2nd to summit a 12,000 foot peak, but never returned to the tent.
It is believed she had a tragic accident and was unable to alert authorities.
Limited search efforts will continue for the foreseeable future.
