Deputies looking for homicide suspect north of Helena

Meismer is wanted on a $1.5 million warrant for deliberate homicide out of Great Falls, and other charges are expected out of Lewis and Clark County.

Branden Conrad Miesmer, 26, of Great Falls, is described as a white male 6 feet 3 inches tall and 205 pounds with a bald head and hazel eyes.

The last time Miesmer was seen by authorities was about 7:40 a.m. Monday morning as he was driving the stolen vehicle below Hauser Dam, he said.

Dutton says Miesmer is believed to be armed with a.45-caliber semi-automatic pistol. When they returned to the home, they heard a single gun shot, Miesmer jumped back into the auto and told them to drive. Police said he then forced two people to drive him to Helena.

According to court records, the clerk called police after the woman was able to tell the clerk that they had been kidnapped. “We’re not going to give up until we do find him”.

Dozens of law enforcement officers, three helicopters, and search dogs have been engaged in the search for Miesmer since Monday afternoon. He exited at Lincoln Road and at some point damaged the vehicle by hitting a raccoon, said Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton. He soon abandoned the auto near Hauser Dam. Temperatures dropped to about 40 degrees Monday night.

Miesmer was suspected of being under the influence of some type of drug, Dutton said. The name of the victim has not yet been released, nor has the cause of death.

“They thought they knew where he was, but then they expanded the search area”, he said.

Along with the manpower, Dutton will have at least two helicopters at his disposal.

Great Falls Police say at least one person is dead after they responded to an incident on the 700 block of 7th Street North in Great Falls.

Investigators say they found Miesmer’s shoes and think they were pointing in the direction he was headed.

Federal health officials say more than 48,500 Montana residents have signed up and paid for health insurance plans through the Affordable Care Act’s federal marketplace. He also asked residents to lock their vehicles and not leave keys inside.