Gold bar mystery: Bodies of mother, son found

DEER LODGE (AP) — Two bodies found in a wooded area near Deer Lodge are believed to be those of a woman and her adult son who were reported missing a month ago along with a large bar of gold, the Powell County sheriff said Monday.

Sheriff Scott Howard said the bodies, believed to be those of 79-year-old Beverly Giannonatti and 57-year-old Gregory Giannonatti, were found Sunday night.

A person of interest, who hasn’t been identified, is in custody on a parole violation. The bodies were being taken to the state crime lab in Missoula on Monday, Howard said.

The case is a homicide investigation, Howard said.

Beverly Giannonatti was reported missing on Oct. 31.

Deputies learned the Giannonattis had last been seen on Oct. 28, nine days after a cleaning lady found a 25-pound gold bar worth about $480,000 while working at the home of Beverly Giannonatti’s ex-husband. He died in August, and Beverly planned to move into the house after some work was done.

Howard has said Beverly Giannonatti retrieved the gold. It is still missing.