In the winter of 2014, the community of Lockwood, Montana, was shaken by the death of Allen Douglas Alder, a 52-year-old White/Caucasian male. On January 3, 2014, Alder was found deceased in his home in the Billings area. Born on January 16, 1961, he was a lifelong resident of the Billings and Lockwood region, where he was known as a construction laborer with a love for motorcycles. Those who knew him remembered his readiness to help friends and neighbors.
The circumstances of his death prompted an immediate investigation by law enforcement. The case took a significant turn when authorities arrested Martin Pond in connection with the homicide. Pond was taken into custody without incident at a local church in Billings after he reached out to the pastor to turn himself in.
He was subsequently booked into the Yellowstone County Detention Facility and faced the charge of deliberate homicide.
The legal proceedings that followed were complicated by an unexpected and tragic event. A key witness in the investigation died by suicide in October 2014. This development presented a significant challenge to the prosecution's case against Pond. Despite the complexities, the investigation into Allen Alder's death continued as the community mourned the loss of a man remembered for his generosity. He was survived by his mother, two brothers, and a newborn daughter.
