Louisa Swanson, 10, was shot to death in her bed in the early hours of August 26, 2002, at the family ranch near Augusta in Lewis and Clark County, Montana. Her 14-year-old brother Swen was killed in the same attack. Their mother, Jeanette Swanson, placed a 911 call after the shootings and stayed at the scene for responding deputies.

Prosecutors filed two counts of deliberate homicide against Jeanette, who was held in Helena without bail and under suicide watch. The case proceeded through Lewis and Clark County District Court; Jeanette later entered a guilty plea to the two homicides and was committed to the custody of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services for placement and treatment at Montana State Hospital for the term of her natural life.

Does anyone have memories of the family or the Augusta-area community from 2002 that might add context to Louisa and Swen’s lives?