Bozeman, Montana – A 44-year-old Montana man will spend the next 60 years behind bars after admitting to killing his girlfriend and living with her body inside an RV for several weeks. The disturbing case, which began with a missing-person search and ended with a chilling confession, has now reached its legal conclusion in Gallatin County.
Overview of the Incident
Authorities said Christopher Brandon Foiles, 44, fatally stabbed his girlfriend Megan Ashley Stedman, 34, inside a Walmart parking lot in Bozeman in December 2023. For weeks, Stedman’s family and officials searched tirelessly for answers — until Foiles himself provided the gruesome truth.
According to court records, Foiles killed Stedman during an argument and then continued living in the RV containing her body. The case took a dramatic turn months later when officers located the vehicle in Idaho and confronted Foiles.
The complete account of the crime emerged through a combination of surveillance footage, an emotional court hearing, and Foiles’ own admissions.
Timeline of Events
Investigators said surveillance footage from Dec. 14, 2023 showed Foiles and Stedman entering the Walmart together — marking the last time she was seen alive. The following day, Foiles returned to the store alone and purchased a series of items that raised immediate suspicion, including bleach, cleaning supplies, contractor bags, saws, and duct tape.
Authorities launched a missing-person search in January 2024 after Stedman’s family reported her disappearance. The investigation eventually led officers to a 1973 RV in Idaho Falls, Idaho, where Foiles had been staying.
When officers knocked on the RV door, Foiles stepped out and delivered a chilling confession.
Foiles’ Confession and Discovery of the Body
Once confronted by police, Foiles immediately identified himself and confessed to the killing.
“I am Chris Foiles. I killed my girlfriend. She is in the RV,” he reportedly told officers.
Police found Stedman’s body in the rear section of the RV. During a subsequent interview, Foiles detailed how he stabbed her in the neck and chest with a kitchen knife after an argument escalated.
He also admitted that he returned to the RV to “finish” the killing, stabbing her multiple times in the upper back until she stopped moving. The confession aligned with the evidence collected from both the scene and the Walmart surveillance footage.
Emotional Sentencing Hearing
On Tuesday, Gallatin County District Judge Rienne McElyea sentenced Foiles to the maximum term of 60 years in state prison after he pleaded guilty to first-degree deliberate homicide as part of an October plea agreement.
During the sentencing hearing, Stedman’s 16-year-old daughter delivered a powerful victim impact statement, pleading for the harshest possible sentence.
“I’ve had dreams about this courtroom. I wake up in a sweat… but it’s finally the end of it, and I don’t have to deal with it anymore. I have to go on without her, and it hurts,” she said, according to a report from Bozeman.
Foiles also addressed the court, expressing remorse.
“Megan did not deserve what I did to her. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about Megan.”
Dropped Charges and Additional Details
Prosecutors initially charged Foiles with multiple offenses, including aggravated animal cruelty for killing Stedman’s dog. However, these additional charges were dropped in exchange for his guilty plea, allowing the case to move directly to sentencing.
Court filings, including the probable cause affidavit, outlined Foiles’ suspicious purchases and detailed his efforts to cover up the crime. Items such as paper towels, zip lock bags, spray paint, paracord, and 55-gallon contractor bags were all bought in the hours after the killing.
These purchases, combined with the physical evidence and his own confession, formed the backbone of the prosecution’s case.
Community Reaction and Broader Safety Concerns
Locals in Bozeman and Idaho Falls were shocked by the brutality of the killing and by the fact that Foiles lived with Stedman’s body for weeks. Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and to report signs of domestic violence before situations escalate.
Domestic abuse experts stress that protective orders, like the one Stedman had against Foiles, can signal a history of danger. Such cases highlight the importance of community awareness and early intervention.
Warning signs of escalating domestic violence often include:
- Increasingly aggressive arguments
- Isolation from friends and family
- Violations of no-contact orders
- Threats of harm
Officials encourage anyone experiencing or witnessing domestic violence to contact local law enforcement or national hotlines immediately.
Conclusion
The sentencing of Christopher Brandon Foiles brings a measure of closure to Stedman’s family after months of grief and unanswered questions. While the legal process has ended, the emotional impact on her loved ones — especially her teenage daughter — will last far longer.
If you or someone you know has witnessed similar situations or has insights on recognizing early signs of danger, share your experiences in the comments below.
