Sector:USA/MacdonaldPass_Butte_Dismemberments

## Incident Record

**Incident ID:** INC-2011-0437

**Date:** June 2011 — June 2012 (initial discoveries October 2011 and June 2012)

**Location:** Macdonald Pass (Hwy 12) near Helena; Moulton Reservoir Road, approximately 20 minutes by vehicle outside Butte, Montana

**Reporting Agency:** Local law enforcement (Butte/Jefferson/Helena jurisdictions); U.S. Forest Service personnel

**Status:** UNRESOLVED

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## Summary

A series of two separate discoveries of dismembered human remains was recorded within a twelve-month interval in the rural mountainous region between Butte and Helena, Montana. The first discovery was made by forestry personnel and associated service workers in October 2011 at Macdonald Pass along Highway 12. Multiple garbage bags containing dismembered remains and cable ties were observed adjacent to the roadway; the cranial portion of the same decedent was recovered several miles downslope. The decedent was later identified as John ‘Mike’ Crites (age 48), who had been reported missing in June 2011. Charges that had been filed against an individual who had been identified as having prior conflicts with Crites were subsequently dismissed; no arrest was secured in relation to the death.

The second discovery occurred in June 2012 on Moulton Reservoir Road, a forested backroad approximately 20 minutes outside of Butte. Two male hikers located a plastic bag placed at the roadside; the bag contained two severed lower limbs. The recovered limbs were later forensically identified as belonging to Michael Wayne Canada (age 46). No further remains were recovered in the documented search efforts; no arrests were made.



Both incidents involved adult male victims in their mid-to-late 40s, dismemberment of remains, and disposal of body parts in rural forested roadway environments within a geographic radius that is less than two hours by vehicle. Investigative records indicate that standard evidence collection protocols were employed at both scenes. The cases remain open and unresolved.

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## Chronology of Known Events

- June 2011: John ‘Mike’ Crites was reported missing to local law enforcement. The reporting mechanism and exact date of the missing-person report were recorded by the receiving agency.

- October 2011: Multiple garbage bags were located at the roadside off Highway 12 at Macdonald Pass. The bags were observed by U.S. Forest Service personnel performing routine duties. Cable ties were observed protruding from at least one bag. Dismembered remains were contained within the bags; the decedent’s skull was located several miles downslope from the bag locations. The decedent was later identified as John ‘Mike’ Crites (48).

- Post-October 2011: An individual with a documented history of conflict with Crites and who was reported to have met with Crites days prior to the disappearance was investigated and charged. Those charges were subsequently dropped by prosecutorial authorities. No conviction or arrest was recorded in associatio