BOZEMAN — Family members of Megan Stedman were joined on Saturday by members of Aspen, a domestic violence support group out of Livingston, as they remembered the first anniversary of Megan's disappearance and death.
Stedman, 34, was from Spokane and had been working at a Livingston gas station when she disappeared on Dec 15, 2023; her body was discovered in her camper in Idaho Falls on Jan 12, 2024.
According to court documents, her boyfriend, 42-year-old Chris Foiles, told police he stabbed Megan multiple times.
As the family is on a long road to justice, they gathered in the Walmart parking lot where Megan was last seen alive a year ago.
“[We] take time to think about other families who are suffering in a similar, from DV to missing and murdered. The community hurts everybody when we lose somebody who should still be here. We wanted to take time to honor that and honor my sister,” says Megan's sister, Christina Momono.
As candles illuminate photos of Megan, her sister reflects.
“I know grief is tough, and I couldn't come out of my grief cave for a long time. I am here because she makes us stronger,” Momono says.
Rebecca Ruhd, director of Aspen, also attended the vigil to raise awareness and honor Megan.
“We wanted to be here to let them know we are still here. And we want to be able to support them in their time of need and after,” Ruhd says.
Foiles remains in custody at the Gallatin County Detention Center as he awaits trial. And as Megan's family continues fighting for justice, Aspen offers support.
“Finding those places to put hope into the future in addition to dealing with a long and difficult criminal justice process that is painstaking and doesn't always make sense. So for folks going through the criminal justice process, we are also there to assist with that,” Ruhd says.
Megan's family wants her memory to live on.
“Never forgetting and remembering all she was, all who she was. Her adventure, her charisma, her laughter, her joy. She cared about people,” Momono says.
If you or someone you know is suffering from Domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.
