A 41-year-old Montana man is accused of smothering his girlfriend’s grandfather to death — and sending text messages about the fatal attack — after the victim refused to give the couple access to his bank accounts.
Dean W. Frost was arrested last week and charged with one count of deliberate homicide in the 2024 death of Donald Finch, according to records reviewed by Law&Crime.
On November 10, deputies from the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call reporting a suspicious death inside a motor home in the 1700 block of Robson Lane in Huntley, Montana, according to Great Falls CBS affiliate KRTV. The caller was reportedly a family member who discovered Finch’s body and thought the scene was suspicious.
When first responders arrived at the scene, they discovered Finch’s body inside the vehicle and noted that he showed no visible signs of trauma.
An autopsy performed several days later reportedly revealed signs of strangulation, and Finch’s cause of death was eventually determined to be homicide.
According to court documents obtained by the station, Finch moved from Idaho to Montana just two weeks before his death and was staying with his granddaughter. However, Finch was reportedly dissatisfied with the living conditions and had already informed other family members that he planned to return to the Gem State.
The 80-year-old man also informed other relatives that his granddaughter, who is not currently facing any criminal charges, stole up to $38,000 from his various bank accounts while attempting to have Finch declared legally incompetent.
When questioned about Finch’s death, his granddaughter and Frost allegedly denied knowing what happened to the 80-year-old man, as well as Finch’s financial situation.
According to the Billings Gazette, Finch’s granddaughter told investigators that while she had access to her grandfather’s bank accounts, she had never used them without his permission. The woman allegedly threatened to sue the coroner’s office if her grandfather’s autopsy was performed.
Investigators obtained and executed a search warrant for Frost’s electronic devices, allegedly revealing evidence that he was involved in Finch’s murder.
“I killed your f—ing grandfather,” he allegedly texted to Finch’s granddaughter. “I helped you forge a notary I have done more for you than I have ever done for anybody for free.”
He also allegedly texted Finch’s granddaughter, saying, “I have done everything you asked of me, including what I did to your grandfather.”
According to the Gazette, the granddaughter responded by calling Frost a “snitch” and a “f—ing rat.”
Frost was arrested on June 30 after a traffic stop for allegedly driving with a suspended or revoked license, according to records. Frost was charged with Finch’s murder shortly after being taken into custody. He is currently being held at the Yellowstone County Jail on a $500,785 bond.
It was not immediately clear when Frost would have to appear in court.
