In the quiet community of Lolo, Montana, the life of 43-year-old Tonya Gilliam was brought to a tragic and violent end on January 9, 2017. Her body, along with that of 51-year-old Bradley Stover, was discovered in a cabin situated behind a local bar. Both had suffered fatal gunshot wounds.
Authorities responding to a report of shots fired found a third individual at the scene, Anthony Mark Vallier, who was immediately detained for questioning.
According to Vallier's account of the events, he and Gilliam had been drinking heavily that day while discussing the purchase of a firearm from Stover. He claimed that Stover, without apparent provocation, discharged the handgun, fatally striking Gilliam. A struggle for the weapon ensued, during which a single shot was fired, killing Stover.
Investigators from the Missoula County Sheriff's Office processed the scene for evidence to corroborate Vallier's statement. While the initial investigation did not yield evidence to contradict his version of the double shooting, a significant detail emerged. A large sum of cash that Stover was known to have in his possession was missing.
Further investigation revealed that just three days after the fatal incident, Vallier, who had a limited income, deposited a substantial amount of money. He had taken the cash from Stover's pocket after he was deceased. Consequently, Anthony Mark Vallier was charged with felony counts of theft and evidence tampering. The case was handed over to the Missoula County Attorney's Office for review, but reports do not indicate that homicide charges were ever filed against Vallier in connection with the deaths of Tonya Gilliam and Bradley Stover.
