Inside A Disastrous Montana Inheritance Fight That Turned Deadly

Montana Inheritance Case Takes a Dark Turn

Most inheritance stories are pretty tame. Usually it’s a family disagreement or some long-held secret finally coming out.

This one from Montana had a much darker, almost Hollywood style ending.

Dispute Over 80-Acre Estate Worth Millions

A Polson man, James Phillip Lawrence, was recently sentenced after prosecutors say jealousy over an inheritance led to the death of another man.

Court documents say the 72-year-old Lawrence admitted to killing 67-year-old Ed Loder.

According to investigators, tensions started building when Loder was set to inherit about 80 acres of property worth millions, while Lawrence was only left a much smaller share. That gap is what prosecutors say pushed things over the edge.

In September 2024, Loder was reported missing. Deputies with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office later found his eyeglasses and blood near his home, along with at least five 9mm shell casings.

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Will Details Show Unequal Distribution of Property

They also recovered a will showing Loder was set to receive the 80 acres, while Lawrence and his wife would each get $5,000. Investigators say both were unhappy with that arrangement.

When questioned, Lawrence reportedly told investigators:

"I'm toast anyways I guess, so, yeah I did it. I just got him."

The defense argued it was a crime of passion, while prosecutors pushed that it was premeditated murder.

In the end, the judge sided with prosecutors and handed Lawrence the maximum sentence allowed, 50 years in prison.

Source: International Business Times