A Montana woman who went missing while out horseback riding has been found dead in the Missouri River.
Meghan Rouns, 27, vanished while out on a trail at McMaster Hills Recreation Center near Helena on Friday.
She was reported missing by family after she failed to return home six hours later.
Her disappearance sparked a frantic search, but she was found by divers under 11 feet of water around 100 feet from the shore last night.
Authorities believe Rouns, who could not swim, may have been knocked off her horse during strong winds.
Montana woman Meghan Rouns, 27, who went missing while out horseback riding has been found dead in the Missouri River
Friends have since paid tribute to the ‘kind and caring’ married woman, who was an avid equestrian.
‘Meghan was the sweetest person I have every [sic] met,’ Vanessa Olson said. ‘My heart breaks for her family. Her smile will be greatly missed. RIP sweet girl.’
‘All of us that knew Meghan were sincerely blessed to have had her in our lives, even if only for a short time,’ Tamrah Chatriand. ‘She was a very sweet, kind, caring, thoughtful and quiet person.
‘If you met her once you liked her because that was just who she was.’
Lewis and Clark County Sheriff and Coroner Leo C Dutton said that Rouns’ husband and family want to thank the local community for their support.
‘You held out for hope and gave them comfort that they were not alone in this ordeal,’ he said.
‘The members of my office and I are grateful for each and every one of you who demonstrated compassion and courage for this family.
‘Some of you knew Meghan, some of you did not, but you came to help in time of need. Thank you.
Rouns vanished while out on a trail at McMaster Hills Recreation Center near Helena on Friday
On Tuesday, the sheriff’s department deployed divers to the section of the Missouri River
‘To Meghan’s family, we extend our condolences and deepest sympathy.’
She was last seen by her family leaving her home around 2pm on Friday, October 4.
At around 4:20pm a photo was posted to her Snapchat account, according to Lewis and Clark Sheriff deputies.
She was then reported missing around 8pm after failing to return home, leaving police a window of three hours and forty minutes in which she could have disappeared.
Her father said she had been riding in the Eagle Bay area east of Helena, west of the Missouri River.
Over the last few days, several police agencies joined in the search for the missing woman and ultimately found Rouns’ horse up the hill from Hauser Lake.
Her body was tragically discovered under 11 feet of water around 100 feet from the shore
Officials believe she may have been knocked off her horse into the water by strong winds
The Helena Police Department Malmstrom Air Force Base even deployed a helicopter on Sunday, as search dog teams were brought in.
Dozens of volunteers also scoured the recreational area on foot and horseback, and at the same time, a robotic-operated vehicle and divers were seen combing through the waters where Rouns’ horse was found.