Woman's body found at head of Lake McDonald

The body of a 28-year-old Kalispell woman was recovered March 14 near the head of Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park after it was spotted by personnel in a search helicopter.

The search for Amy Marie Reddig started around 10:15 a.m. after the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office issued a report of a woman with schizophrenia who didn’t show up for work as expected. Some notes discussing suicide were also located.

Park rangers found Reddig’s vehicle in the Lake McDonald Lodge parking lot around 11:45 a.m.

A search was then initiated in the surrounding area by personnel from Glacier Park, the sheriff’s office, Flathead National Forest, Flathead Search and Rescue, North Valley Search and Rescue, and Flathead Emergency Aviation Resources (FEAR).

Personnel in the FEAR helicopter spotted a body near the head of Lake McDonald around 3 p.m. The Flathead County Coroner was transported to the scene and identified the body as that of Reddig. The body was in the lake.

The body was transported to a local funeral home and will be transported to the state crime lab for an autopsy. The cause of death is unknown and under investigation, but no foul play is suspected at this point.

In related news, the FEAR rescue group is changing its name to GEAR, for Glacier Emergency Aviation Resources. The group, which was founded in 2011 by former Flathead County undersheriff Jordan White, will function as a registered nonprofit so it can accept donations. The group is using a helicopter provided by Silicon Valley entrepreneur Michael Goguen until a new $5 million Bell 429 helicopter is delivered.