Malden: Missing teen believed dead, three arrested

Donavan Stapert, the 17-year-old Malden teenager who was reported missing March 8, is now believed to be dead and three people have been arrested to date on probable charges. Whitman County Sheriff Brett Myers said deputies now believe the youth died at a Malden residence and his body was later moved from the residence.

The sheriff’s office March 8 issued a missing person report on Stapert. At that time deputies gave a description of what Stapert was wearing. Deputies said they believed he could have been going to Spokane or Grants Pass, Ore.

Undersheriff Ron Rockness Tuesday morning said deputies continued to investigate Stapert’s disappearance since they issued the missing person alert and began to pick up information which led to the arrests over the weekend.

Stapert was believed to have recently moved to Malden and was not enrolled as a student at Rosalia. Rockness said Tuesday deputies have not been able to locate Stapert.

Chastity Dawn Barkhuff, 38, Malden, was booked into the county jail on charges of controlled substance homicide, providing controlled substance to a juvenile and rendering criminal assistance.

James Ramson, 30, Spokane, was booked into the jail on probable charges of unlawful disposal of human remains, rendering criminal assistance and possession of methamphetamine.

Also Monday, Bobby Bilderback, 44, Malden, was arrested in Missoula, Mont., on a warrant issued by the court here.

Deputies here are working with the Missoula Police Department to bring Bilderback here. Extradition will be sought if he decides not to waive his extradition right.

Ramson and Barkhuff made first appearances in court Monday and bail for pre-trial release was set at $250,000 for each. Ramson voiced several objections in his court appearance.

An initial probable cause affidavit filed with the court was ordered sealed until some names in the report have been redacted. Rockness explained revelation of some of the names in the report could hinder the investigation of the case which is still underway. The prosecutor’s office is expected to re-file the affidavit with the redactions.