Darrel Dullum’s Body Found in Creek
Darrel Dullum
On February 6, the body of Darrel Dullum was recovered from Prickly Pear Creek in East Helena, Montana. Darrel, a 30-year-old father, was last seen leaving a bar in the small town on December 5, 2009. He told people he was going to walk to his home which is located two miles north of the bar. He was found two blocks southeast of the bar encased in ice.
His hat was recovered five days after he vanished near Prickly Pear Creek. Crews and volunteers spent days searching the area, but investigators determined there wasn’t any evidence to suggest Darrel had fallen in the water.
Officials say Darrel’s body was recovered near the location of the hat. According to reports, Darrel’s wallet and phone were recovered with him. Officials say they’ll probably never know why Darrel ended up in the water.
UPDATE – On February 10, investigators said autopsy results are consistent with drowning and they’ve ruled out foul play. Toxicology results will be completed in six to eight weeks.
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I am very sorry to hear this outcome, I was hopeful that he return alive.
My thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Dullum’s family during this difficult time.
How darn sad. Darrel has 2 young children.
http://www.helpfindthemissing.org/forum/showthread.php?p=721105
My condolences and prayers for the family and friends of Mr. Dullum.
May his soul rest in peace.
2 months after he went missing. I wonder what condition the body was in and if they are going to rule it an accident.
Autopsy is complete.
http://www.kfbb.com/news/local/83972522.html
“Today teh autopsy results were realsed and everything found was consistent to a drowning situation.
At this point, foul play has been completely ruled out, but there are still questions – such as why Dullum was near the creek.”
I want to bring up another article from Sunday just after his body was found.
http://www.helenair.com/news/local/article_f77c539e-1396-11df-8e73-001cc4c002e0.html
After the surveillance video came out we were talking about what the object was that the bartender handed to Dullum. Monique, I think you were spot on about it being his keys.
“Dullum was last seen at the Eagles bar in East Helena about 2 a.m. Dec. 5, and allegedly was intoxicated to the point that the bartender took away the keys to his vehicle.”
So we have confirmation that his keys were taken. While this still lacks explicit confirmation that Dullum was given his keys back, I think we can read between the lines now and assume this was indeed the item in question in the video.
http://www.helenair.com/news/opinion/article_f4d34390-16d0-11df-89cb-001cc4c002e0.html
The above link is an article written by Jerry Dullum, father of Darrel.
He mentions a lot of interesting questions, reveals a lot of community inside information, and is deeply emotional.
” Countless hours of law enforcement time was wasted because there are no cameras. From everything I know, and evidence suggests, my son was not drunk or disoriented enough to walk the opposite way from home, nor do I believe he purposely jumped into waist-deep water and drowned himself.
It is far more likely he was accosted and running away. Scared? Was he drugged? Why was his hat out of the water? Was he confronted there? Was he held underwater or pushed repeatedly in? Were there other wet people around? Was there a gun pointed at him? ”
Law Enforcement seems to have been investigating persons of interest and continue to do so. They are trying to determine if the act of drowning was accidental or forced.
Mr Dullum mentions a lot about the lack of security cameras in the area. He plans on speaking to legislators to pursue a law which will require bars to post quality cameras at all exits.
This case has definitely been proactive. I hope the community continues to push through it. With further police investigation, media pressure, and cooperation from the residents, I see no reason why those lingering questions can’t be answered and perhaps a new precedent can be set in the way which a drowning case is handled.
Nevermind. Case appears closed-
http://www.queencitynews.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=11121&mode=flat&order=0&thold=0
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“The autopsy is completed, and there is nothing suggesting foul play,” Nelson said, adding that the findings are consistent with drowning, although toxicology test results wouldn’t be available for six to eight weeks.
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“We may never know what happened,” Dutton said. “It’s done, it’s over, and we hope the citizens can heal as well as us.”
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A Small correction: Darrel was in East Helena, not Helena. A much smaller separate town some 5 miles away. The distance from the Eagles Bar to where his body was found is about a block and a half.
@ Aaron – thanks for pointing that out. I’m going to change the post.
Darrel’s picture is haunting…the look in his eyes…
These stories are heartbreaking.
FWIW, the bartender handed him his cigarette lighter.
The toxicology reports should be back soon.