Woman arrested for murder

A 52-year-old Libby woman has been arrested for murder after her husband was found shot to death in their home Thursday.

Kristina Lynn Welch has been charged with deliberate homicide in the death of Charles Bryan Welch, 50, according to a press release from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responded to the Granite Lake Road home at approximately 8:45 a.m. Thursday after a 911 call advised there had been a shooting.

They discovered Charles Welch’s body and immediately took Kristina Welch into custody.

According to The Western News, Charles Welch suffered a single gunshot wound to the upper torso, which may have occurred much earlier than when the 911 call was made, based on scanner traffic.

Deputy County Attorney Joseph Cik would not confirm that possibility, but police reports indicated there was a domestic disturbance at the residence the prior evening.

Cik asked Justice of the Peace Jay C. Sheffield for bail of $200,000 for Kristina Welch, but that was denied in favor of holding her with no bail. Public defender Courtney Nolan has asked for a bond hearing.

Kristina Welch is currently incarcerated in the Lincoln County Jail.

The investigation is continuing.

Alan Lewis Gerstenecker of the Western News contributed to this story.