Update 8:20 p.m.
Around 9:20 a.m. Thursday, human remains were found a few hundred yards from the residence of Katelynn Berry, a Sidney woman who has been missing for the past four weeks.
A ground search of almost 100 people began at 8 a.m. but was cut short when the remains were found about an hour later.
“One of our volunteer search teams, searching in one of the pre-defined areas, discovered what appears to be human remains,” said Sidney Police Chief Mark E. Kraft.
These human remains match the description of Berry. The cause of death is still unknown.
MTN spoke with Mark Berryman, editor of the Sidney Herald, who has been covering Berry’s case since the beginning.
“I don’t think it came as a shock to anybody cause she’s been gone for over a month now,” Berryman said.
Inclement weather had prevented authorities from thoroughly searching the area initially.
“The authorities did not want people out with ice and snow-covered terrain cause somebody could easily get hurt,” Berryman said.
During this time, the community banded together in the search for Berry. Volunteers partook in ground searches and put up flyers around Sidney. A billboard was even shown in Williston, North Dakota.
“Anytime somebody’s in need, anytime somebody’s in trouble, the people in this community will come out and do anything they can,” said Berryman.
Those who knew Berry adored her. Alex Wiuff met Berry when he was living in Sidney some time ago.
“She was always just a really nice girl, super bubbly, I mean just the biggest smile you can imagine, seriously,” Wiuff said.
Berry’s father, Hank, believes his daughter just stepped out of her apartment to speak with somebody. All of her belongings were left in the home as well as her cell phone and jacket.
While many questions still remain, what is certain is that Katelynn Berry will be missed by many, not just in Sidney, but all across Montana.
“It’s unfortunate. She was young. And any young life that’s taken so soon is just tragic,” Wiuff said.
Update 12:15 p.m. Thursday
The search for missing 26-year-old Katelynn Berry of Sidney has been suspended after human remains were found on Thursday morning.
Sidney Police Chief Mark Kraft said during a news conference the remains were discovered at about 9:20 a.m., and law enforcement officers and detectives have secured and are processing the scene.
Kraft did not give any indication as to whether criminal activity is suspected at this point, nor did he disclose exactly where the remains were found, other than that it was "not far" from her home.
He said that further search efforts have been suspended.
Kraft said that official identification of the remains, and a determination of the cause and manner of death, will be done at the state lab in Billings.
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SIDNEY- Searchers in Sidney found a body Thursday morning believed to be a woman missing since before Christmas.
Sidney Police Chief Mark Kraft confirmed that searchers discovered the body, which was located not far from the home of Katelynn Berry.
Berry, 26, was last seen on Dec. 21 and was reported missing Dec. 31.
Law enforcement officials organized a search for Berrywith volunteers on Thursday morning.
This is a breaking story. Check back for updates.
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