The Townsend Star, Townsend Montana's News Source

Calling all local sleuths, your help is desperately needed for locating the missing Warden Chet Langdon! A missing persons report was filed on Monday after Langdon failed to appear for a meeting with his superior. Foul play is suspected, the Warden was reportedly closing in on a ring of local outfitters suspected of participating in illegal wild game hunts. The Townsend Sheriff’s office reports no significant leads.
Clues appear to be spread all over town. Local gossip cannot always be trusted. What did the little old lady see? Is it true the Warden was chasing Smokey the Bear? Is there any substance to rumors of impropriety with the Muffin Lady? These are only a few of the many questions you will be asking yourself as you wind your way through the web of lies and deception laid out by people in Townsend.

You might remember this girl when she went to school with you or just from living here. Her name is Esther Reed and she has been targeted nationwide in a long manhunt that has finally come to an end. Back in December we did an article about her and the search for another girl named Brooke Henson who has been missing since 1999. Esther Reed stole the identity of this girl and was attending Columbia University when she was discovered as not being Brooke Henson. Reed is also famous for stealing at least five other identities as well as Brooke’s. Reed, 29, has a federal indictment accusing her of stealing $100,000 in student loans from Columbia and may have ripped off other top universities while being enrolled with fraudulent IDs.
Reed was finally arrested on a federal warrant Saturday in Tinley Park, Ill., just outside of Chicago. Authorities said cops were looking for a suspect in a mass killing at a local store that left five dead.
An alert officer spotted a car used by Reed in a hotel parking lot. Officer Kevin Horbaczewski went to her room claiming that he was investigating a noise complaint from a room next-door. Reed then flashed a phony Iowa driver’s license, claiming that her name was Jennifer Meyers, but eventually admitted that she was the crafty swindler everyone was looking for. “Her claim to fame is she’s a liar,” Tinley Park Sgt. T.J. Grady said. “The officer knew he had the right person.”

Reed was arrested and turned over to secret Service agents where she is being held in Chicago until waiving her rights to a hearing and will be transported to South Carolina.
Reed will be questioned to hopefully find answers that may help police and the family of Brooke Henson. They are hoping to find some type of closure and understand what might have happened to their loved one.
Reed says that she has no regrets and would do it all over again. Esther Reed said to reporters “I was thinking about that yesterday and I wouldn’t reverse what happened.” She continued to comment, “I wouldn’t say I was tired of running” from the law.
Esther Reed pleaded innocent to charges in Chicago that could put her behind bars for 30 years.
Once again...“Another one of Americas Most Wanted captured and put behind bars!”

Bring your walking shoes, magnifying glass and a note pad. This year we’ve put together a plot so complicated and perplexing, it is bound to have you scratching your head before the conclusion.
Last year we assembled an excellent team of detectives to uncover the murder of Boon Carlson, a local miner. The team was successful last year and we will be seeking the same goal this year.
Make this a Valentine weekend you’ll never forget, come solve the mystery. There will be cash prizes for first, second, and third place as well as a prize for the best costume.. er.. disguise. The price is $50.00 per person, which includes prime rib dinner, a brunch and two days of great fun not to mention the chance to win $250.00! Call 406-266-3491 or 1-877-266-4104 to make your reservations. Openings are limited so call now!
This third annual event is hosted by the Townsend Area Chamber of Commerce.

The search party will be gathering at The Betsy at 10:00 a.m. Saturday February 16th. If all goes well the man hunt should finish around noon on Sunday February 17th.
If you want your disguise to fit in with the locals you may want to wear your best 50’s getup. The year is 1955, a time of innocence, bee bop music, sock hops, poodle skirts, penny loafers and Nuclear bomb shelters.