Body found in Flathead Lake

The body of an adult male — believed to be Andrew Walthers, the victim of an alleged homicide — was recovered from Flathead Lake on Monday evening, according to the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office.

Walthers, 34, was last seen alive April 26 after allegedly being pushed off the Old Steel Bridge into the Flathead River in Evergreen.

According to court documents, witnesses said Walthers was in obvious distress as he was swept away by the rapid current before he went under and did not resurface.

According to Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry, the body was found about 1.5 miles offshore from the mouth of the Flathead River by boaters at around 6 p.m. Monday.

The body has been sent to the Montana State Crime Lab for an autopsy and positive identification.

Two people have been charged in connection with Walthers’ death after witnesses allegedly saw them fleeing the bridge after Walthers went over. Cecil Thomas Rice, 26, is charged with deliberate homicide and is scheduled for arraignment on Thursday. Heather Joy Meeker,25, pleaded not guilty to tampering with evidence on May 25.