Arcand Search Continues

Anyone that may frequent the Yellowstone River in Dawson and Richland County, Montana, or the Missouri River to Lake Sakakawea in North Dakota are being reminded to be on the lookout for a missing woman or anything that may be related to the case.

Missing since June 28, 2023, Renee Arcand, 34, of Wisconsin, was last known to be camping at the Fish Intake Campground in Dawson County, MT, along the Yellowstone River, 18 miles north of Glendive. The river at the time was at a high flow stage and water was present throughout all channels of the river valley. Her vehicle was with a companion camping with her at the time as were two small dogs. One dog also remains unaccounted for.

Search efforts performed since her disappearance have yielded no clues or evidence. The river basin in itself is challenging and vast with large swaths of deadfall, flood debris, caving banks, and ever-changing topography of the river through the seasons.

Ground and water searches have been done throughout Dawson County involving search and rescue personnel, K9s, watercraft, aircraft, and aerial drones along the river as well as roadways north and east of Glendive and while there was no witness to her disappearance, the likelihood that the river is involved has been the main focal point throughout the case.

The Dawson County Sheriff's Office and Dawson County SAR continue to collaborate and work in unified effort with Badlands SAR to search the many channels, sandbars, debris fields, and log jams for any clues related to this case. The river along this stretch has vast portions that are not frequented by humans most of the year, especially along the eastern side. There are also many islands that require watercraft to access.

On 8/22/2024, Badlands SAR continued with their assistance to Dawson County with aerial sUAS flights as they checked the area for a ground and water search to take place in the near future involving trained SAR teams. Authorities are asking that anyone fishing, boating, hunting, rockhounding, or otherwise in the area remain vigilant and given anything that seems unnatural or out of place a closer look.

Anyone that sees or locates anything they believe to be related to this case is asked to call 911 immediately and to not disturb or otherwise alter what is found. Leave it in place, as found. If possible, be sure to mark it by digital GPS as well as photograph or video the findings so that authorities can be given that to review upon responding given the likely challenging access to locations.

Any tips or information may also be reported to the Dawson County Sheriff's Office at 406.377.5291 or to your local law enforcement agency.