In a remote log cabin nestled within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest of Montana, the life of 37-year-old Arie Arlynn Lee, a Black/African American female, came to a tragic end on June 7, 2015. Residing in a secluded area of Deer Lodge, Lee, a mother of three, was known by friends and community members for her outgoing and kind nature. A former high school soccer star, she had made an effort to integrate her family into the local community, participating in theater productions and often
visiting town with her children. Friends described her as a devoted mother who exuded confidence and had a great sense of humor.
The idyllic seclusion of their off-the-grid home masked underlying tensions that culminated in a horrific act of violence. On that Sunday morning, Arie's husband and the father of her children, 59-year-old Michael Augustine “August” Bournes, perpetrated a quadruple murder-suicide. Authorities believe that after a domestic dispute, Bournes fatally shot Arie and their three children: 5-year-old Augustine, 4-year-old Woodrow, and 16-month-old Arie. Following the murders, Bournes set fire to their cabin before taking his own life.
The investigation revealed a chilling sequence of events. Bournes first shot his wife inside their home. He then proceeded to shoot their two sons outside the cabin before bringing their bodies back inside. After killing his entire family, Bournes contacted an acquaintance, admitting to the murders and stating his intention to commit suicide. This acquaintance promptly alerted law enforcement. By the time authorities navigated the difficult terrain to reach the remote cabin, they were met with a devastating scene. The cabin was ablaze, and inside, they discovered the bodies of Arie, her three children, and Bournes. The case was closed as a murder-suicide, with Michael Augustine Bournes identified as the sole suspect, leaving a community in shock and mourning the senseless loss of an entire family.
