On the morning of November 6, 2001, Florence, Montana, was rocked by a triple homicide at the Hair Gallery salon. Three women were found dead: owner Dorothy Harris, 62, just inside the salon; manicurist Brenda Patch, 44; and customer Cynthia Paulus, 71, in a utility room at the back. All three had their throats deeply slit. There was no sign of robbery or sexual assault noted, and motive was not immediately apparent.

Early attention centered on an oddly dressed man seen near the salon around the time of the killings, described as wearing a dark suit and either a top hat or a fedora; police sketches and public tips failed to produce an identification. Years later investigators explored a possible link to a methamphetamine and marijuana distribution ring. In 2008 Brian Weber and Lincoln Benavides were arrested on federal drug charges that included allegations Weber killed the women on orders tied to a drug debt, but those murder charges were dismissed in 2010 amid weak evidence, a key witness death, credibility problems, and defense evidence challenging Weber’s presence in Florence.

The three murders remain unsolved. If anyone knew Brenda Patch, worked with her at the Hair Gallery, or saw someone matching that oddly dressed man near the salon that morning, please come forward with information.