Federal and multi-state law enforcement officers have recovered a body believed to be that of missing Sherry Arnold, 43, of Sidney.
Authorities said Wednesday they believe the physical remains recovered are that of the missing Sidney school teacher who disappeared Jan. 7 during a morning run.
An FBI team started to recover the body in early morning hours on Wednesday east of Williston. The body was flown to the State Medical Examiner's Office in Montana Wednesday where it will be examined and positively identified.
Two Colorado men have been arrested and charged with aggravated kidnapping in the case and face a possible death penalty if convicted.
Michael Keith Spell, 22, and Lester Van Waters Jr., 47, pleaded not guilty last month to one count each of aggravated kidnapping during an arraignment in state district court in Sidney.
Court documents filed by the prosecutor in the case indicate Spell, of Parachute, Colo., has confessed to his role in the crack-fueled abduction and presumed killing of Arnold.
State district Judge Katherine Irigoin set separate trial dates for the two men beginning in mid July. She told the defendants they could face the death penalty under Montana law if convicted.
Attorneys for suspects filed documents recently requesting a substitute for Richland County District Judge Katherine Irigoin.
Dawson County Seventh Judicial District Court Judge Richard Simonton has accepted the assignment to take over a Richland County case involving two men suspected of the kidnapping.
Spell and Waters are being defended by court-appointed attorneys.
Arnold was abducted — apparently at random — while she was jogging near her home on the morning of Jan. 7. Authorities said Spell told investigators he pulled her into a car and she was choked to death by Waters before they buried her in a shallow grave in a shelter belt near Williston.
The recovery and investigation was a collaboration between the FBI, Williams County Sheriff's Office, Williston Police Department, Richland County Sheriff's Office and Sidney Police Department.
Further efforts to verify the identity of the remains are currently under way by law enforcement. A news release will be issued after a positive identification is made. Due to the ongoing investigation, no further details about the case can be released at this time.
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