Scott Marvin Steinbach, Ty William Steinbach Obituary, Death – Authorities in Lewis & Clark County have confirmed the identities of two men found deceased in a tragic incident that occurred on Thursday, May 1, 2025. Sheriff and Coroner Leo Dutton reported that the victims were 61-year-old Scott Marvin Steinbach and his older brother, 64-year-old Ty William Steinbach. The men were discovered at a residence located just north of Highway 200 near L&C Road, northwest of Wolf Creek.
The initial call came in to dispatch at approximately 6:50 p.m. that Thursday evening. The report indicated that two individuals were possibly dead inside a home and that there may have been gunshots involved. Deputies responded swiftly and were met with a disturbing scene. Inside the residence, they encountered a house fire and the body of at least one deceased individual. As they began their investigation, they discovered a second victim.
Sheriff Dutton described the sequence of events during a statement to the press. “We initially found one deceased person inside and began searching the area. It was soon evident that a second individual had also been shot,” he said. Further investigation revealed that Ty Steinbach had died from gunshot wounds. The sheriff’s office ruled his death a homicide, and Scott Steinbach was quickly identified as the primary suspect.
“It appears to have been a family conflict that escalated into violence,” Dutton told MTN News over the weekend. Authorities believe Scott shot his brother Ty during the confrontation. Following the shooting, Scott is said to have obtained gasoline, poured it on his own body, and ignited a fire within the house.
Autopsy results later confirmed that Scott died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The State Crime Lab in Missoula verified that his death was a suicide. According to the sheriff, Scott’s actions following the murder suggest a deliberate attempt to destroy evidence, perhaps as part of an effort to conceal or end the tragedy.
The situation was even more harrowing, as the parents of the two men were present inside the home when the fire was set. The mother attempted to extinguish the flames and, in doing so, suffered burn injuries. She was later transported to a nearby medical facility for treatment. Fortunately, both parents survived the incident.
Adding to the grim narrative, a hired worker on the property intervened during the fire. According to Dutton, the worker managed to pull Ty’s body away from the flames before it could be severely damaged. Although the body sustained some burn marks, it remained identifiable thanks to the worker’s actions.
Sheriff Dutton provided further insight into what investigators believe occurred: Scott fatally shot his brother and then initiated the fire, possibly with the intention of destroying the scene. After setting the blaze, he turned the weapon on himself, dying by suicide. The sequence of events points to a sudden and violent outburst stemming from long-standing family tensions.
“This seems to be a case where a family feud tragically spiraled out of control,” Dutton noted, expressing sorrow for the surviving family members and the trauma they have endured.
As the investigation continues, officials are working to gather additional details and piece together what may have triggered the deadly conflict. Authorities have not yet released information regarding any previous disputes or warning signs that may have led to this fatal outcome.
The Sheriff’s Office has stated that the scene has been processed, and a full investigation is ongoing. They are awaiting further forensic results and testimonies that might shed more light on the dynamics between the brothers and the events that preceded the incident.
In the meantime, the local community has been left in shock. The sudden and violent nature of the deaths has prompted conversations around mental health, conflict resolution, and support for families dealing with internal disputes.
“This is a very tragic situation. It’s one that affects not only the family but the entire community,” Dutton said. He extended condolences to the relatives of the deceased and thanked the first responders and medical personnel who acted quickly during the emergency.
The Sheriff’s Office has promised to provide updates as new information becomes available. As of now, the scene has been secured, and the focus is on ensuring the well-being of the surviving family members while completing the investigation.
In summary, the deaths of Scott and Ty Steinbach are being treated as a murder-suicide, with Scott identified as the shooter who killed his brother before taking his own life and setting the house ablaze. The incident has deeply affected the local community, with investigators continuing to look for answers in the aftermath of this domestic tragedy.