A Montana woman who disappeared while horseback riding was found dead in the Missouri River.
Meghan Rouns, 27, went missing while on a trail at the McMaster Hills Recreation Center near Helena on Friday.
The family reported him missing after he did not return home six hours later.
Her disappearance sparked a frantic search, but last night she was found by divers under 11 feet of water about 100 feet from shore.
Authorities believe Rouns, who did not know how to swim, may have been knocked off her horse during high winds.
Montana woman Meghan Rouns, 27, who disappeared while horseback riding was found dead in the Missouri River.
Friends have since paid tribute to the “kind and loving” married woman, who was an avid equestrian.
“Meghan was the sweetest person I’ve ever met,” Vanessa Olson said. ‘My heart breaks for his family. We will miss his smile very much. RIP, sweet girl.’
“All of us who knew Meghan were truly blessed to have had her in our lives, even if it was only for a short time,” Tamrah Chatriand. ‘He was a very sweet, kind, attentive, considerate and calm person.
“If you met her once you liked her because that’s who she was.”
Lewis and Clark County Sheriff and Coroner Leo C Dutton said Rouns’ husband and family want to thank the local community for their support.
“You offered hope and gave them comfort that they were not alone in this terrible experience,” he said.
‘Members of my office and I are grateful for each and every one of you who demonstrated compassion and courage for this family.
‘Some of you knew Meghan, some didn’t, but you came to help in her time of need. Thank you.
Rouns disappeared while on a trail at McMaster Hills Recreation Center near Helena on Friday
On Tuesday, the sheriff’s department sent divers to the section of the Missouri River.
“To Meghan’s family, we extend our deepest sympathies and sympathies.”
Her family last saw her leaving her home around 2pm on Friday, October 4.
A photo was posted to his Snapchat account around 4:20 p.m., according to Lewis and Clark sheriff’s deputies.
She was then reported missing around 8pm after failing to return home, leaving police with a window of three hours and forty minutes in which she could have disappeared.
Her father said she had been traveling in the Eagle Bay area east of Helena, west of the Missouri River.
In recent days, several law enforcement agencies joined the search for the missing woman and eventually found Rouns’ horse up the hill from Hauser Lake.
His body was tragically discovered under 11 feet of water about 100 feet from shore.
Authorities believe strong winds may have knocked her off her horse and into the water.
The Helena Police Department’s Malmstrom Air Force Base even deployed a helicopter Sunday, as teams of search dogs arrived.
Dozens of volunteers also toured the recreational area on foot and on horseback, and at the same time, a robot-operated vehicle and divers were seen combing the waters where Rouns’ horse was found.