Crime and Courts

Sanders Co. sheriff calls in state agents on Dixon attack

Posted: Dec 8, 2012 8:42 PM by Bernie Riggs - KPAX News

DIXON - The Division of Criminal Investigation out of Helena is currently on scene of Thursday's deadly home invasion, investigating and processing what's being called a "very involved crime scene" in Dixon where a man entered a couple's home, killing the husband and nearly killing the wife.

The Sanders County Sheriff's Department is not releasing the names of the victims at this point. We do know the wife survived the attack and underwent surgery from her injuries and is now recovering at Harborview Medical Hospital in Seattle. We're told her condition has improved from critical to serious condition.

The Sanders County Sheriff's Department is not saying how the husband was killed or giving other details about the home invasion and murder.

Sheriff Tom Rummel said the investigation is detailed. "I have requested the help of the Department of Criminal Investigations with the processing of the crime scene. This is very slow work and they have provided six agents to help with this."

Sheriff Rummel says the assistance of the DCI agents frees up his deputies to continue to patrol Sanders county.

Undersheriff Lanny Hensley did tell us they are investigating to find out if there was a connection between the suspect and the couple.

At this time, there is no known motive, but we do know the suspect has a criminal past.

Nathan Lee William Calvert, 32, was convicted of Partner-Family Member Assault in Missoula in December of 2010, according to the Montana Department of Corrections website.

Calvert is listed on the Montana Department of Justice Sexual or Violent Offender Registry as a violent offender with a Missoula address in the South Hills.

It's also noted that he's been known to use several aliases.