Hofeldt death ruled accidental drowning

The Blaine County Sheriff’s Office has issued a press release saying that the death of Noah Michael Hofeldt of Chinook, 35, has been ruled an accidental drowning.

Hofeldt was reported as last seen June 11. His bicycle was found near the Chinook Water Treatment Plant.

Searchers found his body in the Milk River Monday.

The press release said Blaine County sheriff’s deputies transported his body Tuesday to the state forensic pathologist for an autopsy. The cause of death was determined to be asphyxia due to drowning and the manner of death as accidental.

“The Blaine County Sheriff’s Office offers its deepest condolences to the Hofeldt family and wants to thank all of the volunteers who helped return Noah to his family,” the release said. 

A celebration of life for Hofeldt will be held at Chinook High School’s auditorium Saturday at 4 p.m. followed by a reception at the Chinook Eagle’s Club and a candle-light gathering will be held at dark by the Chinook Water Treatment Plant.

The sheriff’s office release also urged people who go near Montana’s waterways to use extreme caution due to the high level of mountain snowmelt runoff.

“Please… be careful when recreating on or around the waterways as there have been multiple recent drowning deaths throughout the state,” the release said.