Newlywed accused of pushing husband off Glacier cliff

A Kalispell woman has been accused of pushing her newlywed husband face first off a cliff in Glacier National Park following an argument over their regretted marriage.

Jordan Linn Graham, 22, made her initial appearance Monday in a Missoula federal court on a criminal complaint that alleges she murdered her husband, Cody Lee Johnson. Graham faces up to life in prison if charged with second-degree murder.

Johnson, 25, was reported missing July 8 after he failed to show up for work at Nomad Global Communications. His body was found July 11 in a steep and rocky area below The Loop switchback of the Going-to-the-Sun Road after Graham allegedly told a park ranger the location of the body.

According to an affidavit in support of the complaint filed by the FBI, the park ranger thought it was strange that Graham had found the body. Graham reportedly told the ranger, “It was a place he wanted to see before he died.”

Graham had originally told law enforcement that she last saw Johnson on July 7 getting into a dark car with unknown people, but in the affidavit, Graham admits she had lied about the death of her husband.

According to statements in the affidavit, on the evening of July 7 she and Johnson were having an argument and decided to drive to the park and hike on The Loop trail. The couple had been married nine days earlier.

They walked for a while and continued to argue before crossing the trail to a very steep area near some rocks.

According to the affidavit, Graham stated their argument intensified. At one point, Graham turned to walk away, but Johnson grabbed her arm. Graham turned around, removed Johnson’s hand, and due to her anger, she allegedly pushed her husband with both hands in the back.

Johnson fell face first off the cliff.

According to the affidavit, prior to the incident Graham told a friend she was having second thoughts about her marriage and that she intended to talk with her husband about the matter on July 7.

That day, Graham sent her friend a text saying that she was getting ready to speak with Johnson.

Her friend responded, “I’ll pray for you guys.”

Graham texted back, “But dead serious if u don’t’ hear from me at all again tonight, something happened.”

The investigation into the alleged murder was a cooperative effort between the Kalispell City Police Department, the Flathead County Coroner, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the National Park Service.