A 41-year-old Montana man, Dean W. Frost, has been charged with the deliberate homicide of his girlfriend’s grandfather, an 80-year-old man named Donald Finch, in a case that has shocked the Huntley community.
According to records and reports from local authorities, deputies from Yellowstone County responded to a 911 call on November 10 regarding a suspicious death inside a motor home on Robson Lane. Finch was found lifeless inside the vehicle, initially showing no visible signs of trauma. However, an autopsy later revealed evidence of strangulation, confirming that Finch’s death was a homicide.
Finch had recently relocated from Idaho to Montana, moving in with his granddaughter. Reports suggest that Finch was unhappy with the living conditions and had expressed intentions to return to Idaho. The family also disclosed that the granddaughter, who is not currently facing criminal charges, allegedly stole up to $38,000 from Finch’s bank accounts and attempted to have him declared legally incompetent.
During the investigation, both the granddaughter and Frost denied any knowledge of Finch’s death or financial matters. The granddaughter claimed to have account access but stated she never used the funds without Finch’s permission. She reportedly threatened to sue the coroner’s office over the autopsy.
The case took a significant turn when authorities executed a search warrant on Frost’s electronic devices. Investigators discovered incriminating text messages from Frost to the granddaughter. In one message, Frost admitted, “I killed your f—ing grandfather,” and boasted about helping forge documents and fulfilling her requests, including the murder.
Following a traffic stop on June 30 for driving with a revoked or suspended license, Frost was arrested and shortly thereafter charged with Finch’s murder. He remains held at Yellowstone County Jail on a bond of $500,785.
Court dates have yet to be scheduled as the investigation continues. Authorities are piecing together evidence as they work toward a fuller understanding of the tragic events that led to Finch’s death.
This case highlights the dark consequences of familial disputes involving money and control, and it continues to draw attention as details emerge. The community awaits further developments in what is already a deeply disturbing homicide investigation.
