Search continues at Cascade County landfill for missing Conrad woman

GREAT FALLS — The search for Alicia Wood, 46, continues at the High Plains landfill, several miles northeast of Great Falls. Cascade County Sheriff Jesse Slaughter said during a press conference on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, that Wood was reported missing on November 30; The reporter said she was last seen on November 22.

Wood’s car – a 2005 black Cadillac – was found Nov. 27 between Brady and Conrad and impounded. Conrad police found blood inside the car. Conrad Police Chief Cory Smith requested the Montana Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) to assist in the investigation.

Slaughter said during the news conference that a “person of interest” had been taken into custody on an unrelated charge of violating probation in connection with Wood’s disappearance. The person’s name has not been released at this time.

The investigation led them to the county landfill near Floweree in Cascade County, operated by Republic Services.

The DCI assumed the role of lead investigating agency, with DCI officers overseeing the search.

A search area the size of about three football fields was established at the landfill, and dozens of people wearing protective gear searched the debris for evidence.

On Tuesday, Dec. 10, Slaughter said aerial drones were flying over the scene to get a “bird’s eye view” of any potential evidence. This also means that certified pilots fly them. These drones were provided by the Great Falls Police Community Foundation.

Search underway for missing woman Alicia Wood at Cascade County landfill

Slaughter also noted that “Sonny and his team at HL Ventures used their excavator non-stop,” adding that the excavation was going very quickly given the size of the area. He said Les Payne and his Cascade County Public Works operated two front-end loaders all day, every day, assisted by a Republic Services bulldozer.

Several people asked if cadaver dogs had been brought in to help with the search. Slaughter responded that the area is too dangerous for dogs, because there are sharps and medical waste in the pile, as well as chemicals that could harm them.

Slaughter noted that his agency works in partnership with DCI because the sheriff’s office is responsible for coroner duties in Cascade County. In the event Alicia is found deceased, the sheriff’s office “will play a vital role in the investigation.”

He added: “Please send your prayers to Alicia’s family and friends, and to all the incredible heroes working so hard to find her, and those who support these efforts. We cannot express enough how grateful we are for the tremendous support we have statewide.” I receive.”

Search underway for missing woman at Cascade County landfill

If you have any information on the disappearance of Alicia Wood, you are asked to call the Criminal Investigation Division at 406-444-3874 or email [email protected].

Among the agencies contributing to the investigation, according to Sheriff Slaughter:

The above list is not exhaustive; we will add more agencies as we get more information.