Kalispell man accused of murdering father in arson fire

Court documents indicate a Kalispell man accused of murdering his father in an arson fire allegedly blocked the dead man’s ability to possibly escape from the burning residence.

Jason David Weldele, 42, is charged with one felony count of deliberate homicide in the death of his father, 63-year-old Daniel Gerald Weldele. Jason Weldele is lodged in the Flathead County Detention Center on a $250,000 bond. His next scheduled court appearance will be at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 19.

According to the charging document, Daniel Weldele was a semi-ambulatory man who was unable to get around on his own or out of the residence on Forest Hill Village near Somers without help. A preliminary autopsy report indicated Weldele died of smoke inhalation.

Flathead County Sheriff’s Office deputies found bed springs laying against the inside window and a dresser and shelves barricading the inside door of the home.

The incident began at about 5:21 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16 when Jason Weldele called the Sheriff’s Office to report suspicious activity at 222 Forest Hill Village in Kalispell. A deputy reported Weldele allegedly said unknown people had entered his residence and placed hidden pen cameras around the home. He said his father was in the residence with him and that he didn’t want officers to respond.

About six-and-one-half hours later at 11:47 p.m., 911 dispatch received another phone call from the same phone number Jason Weldele had called from earlier. He allegedly said a building was on fire, but couldn’t confirm an address.

According to the dispatch log, the caller said “I gotta go” before hanging up. When a dispatcher called the number it went to voicemail, but the number plotted to a cell tower near Industrial Court.

Law officers and fire fighters responded to 222 Forest Hill Village at 11:52 p.m. and were there for 15 minutes. They reported finding no people or fire at the residence or the immediate area, including the Industrial Court area.

Then, at 2:07 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 17, officers responded to 222 Forest Hill Village and saw flames coming from the residence. Jason Weldele was allegedly found outside the home. A deputy reported Weldele was acting erratic, couldn’t be understood and ran away when asked if anyone else was inside the burning residence.

His father’s body was then discovered inside the home. When an officer searched Jason Weldele, a lighter and shard of glass was allegedly found in his pocket.

Weldele’s criminal past includes drug charges in 2006 and 2007 and an assault in 2006. He was also accused of assaulting a woman in 2016, but charges were later dropped.

Reporter Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 758-4441 or shindledecker@dailyinterlake.com.