HELENA — State and Flathead County officials are asking for help in solving the February disappearance of a Kalispell woman whose vehicle was found abandoned near Poplar in February.
Nicole Waller left Fairview on Feb. 14 to return home to her three children in Kalispell and hasn’t been seen since. Her maroon Ford Expedition was found on the side of U.S. Highway 2.
Officials with the state Division of Criminal Investigation say a number of factors point to foul play.
“Mothers traditionally don’t abandon their children,” said Agent Mark Hilyard of the Montana Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation. “This is clearly not normal behavior and has every indication of a homicide.”
Hilyard also referenced Waller’s abandoned car as an example.
“Someone witnessed suspicious activity taking place. It also appeared odd that her children’s pet guinea pigs were still in the vehicle when it was recovered,” Hilyard said.
He urged the public for assistance with the missing woman’s disappearance, pointing out that often a single observation that someone may consider unimportant can break a case open.
“There are three children and a family looking for some closure to their loved one’s disappearance,” he said. “And there’s someone out there who knows the truth.”
Anyone with information is asked to call DCI at (406) 791-2709 or the Flathead County sheriff’s office at (406) 758-5600.
Waller is described as 5 feet tall and about 165 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes.