Man charged in 2013 death

BILLINGS — Stillwater County authorities have made an arrest in the July 2013 death of an Absarokee man.

Michael Thomas Holtz, 21, was arrested Saturday in Billings, made an initial appearance in Justice Court in Stillwater County on Monday and was released after posting a $250,000 bond. Officials in the county attorney’s office said he had not yet retained an attorney.

Prosecutors allege Holtz ran over Forest Dana’s head with his car late on July 27 or early on July 28. Dana’s family discovered his body.

Court records say DNA found on a mud flap and the frame of Holtz’s damaged car matched Dana.

Numerous witnesses reported seeing a car matching the description of Holtz’s speeding down the alley where Dana’s body was found, court records said. 

One witness said he had to jump out of the way to avoid being hit by Holtz’s car.

Holtz also is charged with tampering with evidence after prosecutors say he crashed his car into a tree to impede the investigation.

Holtz is scheduled to enter his pleas in Columbus on July 7.