Eda Lynn Karr, 63, was last seen on August 14, 2020, in Stevensville, Montana, located in Ravalli County. Initial details surrounding her disappearance were scarce, with the possibility of her having traveled to Washington State being considered. For more than two years, Karr's whereabouts remained unknown, and she was considered a missing person.
The investigation into Karr's disappearance took a significant turn in October 2022.
Her son, Ronan Elias Sterling-Shanahan, also known as Justin Joe Whitfield, was initially arrested on charges of theft and exploitation of an older and incapacitated person. Subsequently, on October 18, 2022, Karr's body was discovered in the garage of the residence she shared with her son, wrapped in plastic and concealed under a large amount of trash.
Further investigation revealed a grim situation. Karr, who suffered from multiple health issues including Parkinson's disease, had been in the sole care of her son. Authorities accused Sterling-Shanahan of neglecting his mother's medical needs, leading to her death. After her death, he is said to have concealed her body and continued to use her retirement funds for his personal expenses. The conditions within the home pointed to severe neglect, with the room Karr was confined to being in a squalid state.
In November 2022, Ronan Elias Sterling-Shanahan was charged with deliberate homicide, theft, exploitation of an incapacitated person, and tampering with physical evidence. He was later convicted of negligent homicide and tampering with evidence and sentenced to 30 years in prison.Last Seen: Aug 14, 2020
