Bozeman, Mont. — Authorities have identified the woman killed in a Bozeman homicide earlier this week as 50-year-old Shelli Waltermath of Gallatin Gateway. Police also named 62-year-old Steven Michael Dailey of Missoula as the suspect. The Gallatin County Sheriff's Office reported in a Facebook post that Dailey died by suicide Thursday morning in a field near where Waltermath’s body was discovered. Waltermath had sustained multiple gunshot wounds when her body was found Wednesday night.
Bozeman police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Waltermath’s death and are working to determine if Waltermath and Dailey knew each other. Investigators have not yet stated whether the incident was a random act of violence or stemmed from a domestic dispute. As the investigation progresses, friends of Waltermath have expressed their shock and grief. One friend, who spoke to Nonstop Local on Friday afternoon and wished to remain off camera, described Waltermath as a "shining light in the community" and one of the nicest individuals one could meet in Bozeman. Other friends, speaking off camera to Nonstop Local, shared similar sentiments of disbelief.
Beyond the ongoing criminal investigation into the motive behind the homicide, the tragic events have prompted discussions among domestic violence advocates about warning signs. Nonstop Local spoke with these advocates, who highlighted behaviors that could signal potential domestic disputes. Katie Madison, Executive Director of the Haven Domestic Violence Support Center, specifically pointed to isolation as a key example of how abusers operate. Madison explained that abusers often work to manipulate the ways survivors interact with their communities. This manipulation can lead to survivors being isolated from their family members and friends, feeling significant pressure from the abuser to avoid engaging with their established social circles. Such isolation can leave individuals feeling cut off and without external support, which is a critical concern for advocacy groups.
Police have released limited additional information regarding either Waltermath or Dailey. Specifics, such as how long either individual had resided in Montana, have not been made public by authorities. Nonstop Local has reached out to friends and family of both Waltermath and Dailey in an effort to learn more about their backgrounds and lives in Montana. The full scope of their relationship and the precise sequence of events leading to Waltermath’s death and Dailey’s suicide remain under active investigation by Bozeman police.