Superior, MT: Prosecutors say Superior murder suspect strangled his ex-wife

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SUPERIOR- Prosecutors say a woman who they say was strangled to death tried to call for "help", but the call dropped before dispatchers could learn what was going on.

That new information is contained in the charging papers filed in court Monday against 52-year old Michael John Woodard, who now stands accused of murdering his ex-wife Kelly Jo Dube-Woodard in late May.

Mineral County detectives had listed Woodard as a "person of interest" since right after Kelly Jo disappeared. He was arrested on an outstanding warrant in Nevada a few days later.

Woodard was reported missing by friends and family the morning of May 24th. Prosecutors say one of her friends had received a text message, saying she was going to the Trout Creek Campground to meet "Mick", which is the nickname of her ex-husband. That's where friends found her Jeep.

Prosecutors say dispatchers received a 9-1-1 call where they could hear the calling saying "help" before the call was dropped. Dispatchers had a number, but couldn't narrow down the location of the call. They later determined the call was made from Kelly's phone.

Prosecutors say witnesses also say Woodard's pickup truck in the vicinity of the campground that same day, although he initially denied being there when he was first contacted by deputies.

Searchers found Kelly Jo's body in a wooded area a few miles from the campground later in the week. An autopsy determined she died from strangulation.

Woodard made an initial appearance in court Monday with bail set at $500,000. If convicted he could face the death penalty or between 10 and 100 years in prison.