Helena Woman’s Death Ruled Suicide

A woman who reported being kidnapped at a Montana rest stop– later found dead in the trunk of her car in Spokane, Washington– took her own life, according to the FBI on Thursday.  47-year-old Rita Maze was found dead in September 2016, near Spokane International Airport.  The FBI said she died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Her daughter Rochelle Maze said Rita called on the evening of Sept. 6 and reported she’d been abducted at a rest stop along Interstate 15 between Helena and Great Falls, saying she was in the trunk of a car.  She said she feared her abductor had access to her gun, which was in her purse.  The call cut off and the family was unable to reach her again.  Law enforcement officials pinged her cellphone to determine her location.