In the early morning of June 9, 2018, 42-year-old Ronda Dee Ray of Great Falls, Montana, was found with a gunshot wound at a residence on the 700 block of 20th Street North. Officers arrived after reports of a disturbance and possible gunshots around 3:30 a.m. A 56-year-old man, later identified as Michael Howard Willey of Lincoln, was also found with a gunshot wound. Both were taken to a local medical facility and later died.

The Cascade County Attorney’s office declared the incident a murder-suicide, stating Willey shot Ray and then turned the gun on himself; Ray’s death was ruled a homicide tied to domestic violence. Investigators noted Willey had a history of violent arrests, including prior accusations of assaulting Ray, two arrests earlier that year for punching a woman and violating a no-contact order, and an April felony aggravated assault charge for allegedly punching a female victim multiple times in the face and head.

Anyone with information about Ronda Ray, her movements that night, or past incidents involving the individuals is asked to come forward.