In the months leading up to her death, Kerry Huber was fighting for a fresh start. A 47-year-old woman from Billings, Montana, she described herself as being in one of the most difficult times of her life. Disabled, unemployed, and in the process of a divorce, Kerry faced what she called overwhelming obstacles. In January 2026, she created an online fundraiser, reaching out for help to cover divorce fees and the cost of travel to find safe housing.
She explained that the move was more than just a change of address; it was a chance to clear her head and build a better future. "I know that a fresh start is what I need to regain my independence and stability," she wrote. Pleading with others who may have experienced similar struggles, she asked for help to get away from her situation. Her hope was for a new beginning, a safer, more hopeful place where she could regain her footing.
Tragically, that hope was extinguished on the afternoon of Thursday, October 8, 2026. At approximately 5:00 p.m., the Billings Police Department received a call and dispatched officers to a residence on Carlton Avenue Southwest. When they entered the home, they discovered Kerry Huber inside, suffering from what were described as apparent gunshot wounds to her chest and abdomen. Emergency first responders immediately began performing life-saving measures, but Kerry’s injuries were too severe. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The police investigation began immediately. While searching the home, officers located 31-year-old Scott Freeland Jr. in a back bedroom. Investigators also found a firearm, ammunition, and a magazine in the same room. Freeland was taken into custody for questioning by detectives. According to court documents filed later, Freeland admitted during the police interview that he had shot Kerry. He allegedly stated that he shot her six times.
When investigators asked about his motive, Freeland reportedly claimed he believed Huber was bringing methamphetamines into the home. He also told detectives that he was personally struggling with sobriety and felt that there was no other way out of his situation than to pull the trigger. The violent act brought a sudden and brutal end to the life of a woman who was actively trying to escape a difficult chapter and find personal peace.
Following the investigation and his alleged confession, Scott Freeland Jr. was arrested and charged with deliberate homicide. He was transported to the Yellowstone County Detention Center, where he was held on a $500,000 bond. His next court appearance was scheduled for November 19, 2026, marking the beginning of what would be a long legal process for Kerry’s loved ones.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Kerry's sister spoke to the media, expressing her family's pain and their desire for Kerry to be remembered. She emphasized that her sister's name should not be forgotten and made a simple, powerful plea to the community that murder is never the answer. Her words served as a painful reminder of the human cost of the violence that had taken place inside the home on Carlton Avenue Southwest. As of late 2026, the criminal case against Scott Freeland Jr. was proceeding through the Yellowstone County court system, leaving a family to grieve and a community to mourn the loss of a woman who had been searching for nothing more than a chance to start over.
