Left: Beth Bakken. Right: The van Bakken allegedly set on fire with her boyfriend trapped inside near Bozeman, Montana (KBZK).
The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a vehicle fire at approximately 6:41 a.m. on a Wednesday morning. The blaze occurred near 18 Bedivere Boulevard within the King Arthur Trailer Court, located west of Bozeman. Upon arrival, firefighters extinguished the flames engulfing a white Dodge van, only to discover 44-year-old Robert Welch deceased in the rear compartment.
In connection with the tragic event, authorities arrested 51-year-old Beth Bakken, charging her with deliberate homicide and arson. According to an arrest report accessed by the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, it was revealed that Welch had succumbed to smoke inhalation, indicating he was alive when the fire was set.
Following the incident, deputies noticed Bakken fleeing across the street, roughly half a mile from the scene. During questioning, Bakken described her tumultuous relationship with Welch, alleging he had been “physically abusive.” The authorities noted they had been involved in previous interactions with the couple.
An arrest report obtained by the Bozeman Daily Chronicle revealed firefighters found Welch in the rear passenger compartment of the van. An autopsy reportedly showed he died of smoke inhalation, meaning he was still alive when Bakken allegedly set the van ablaze.
Deputies later spotted Bakken running across the street about a half-mile from the scene. In an interview with detectives, she described an on-again, off-again romantic relationship with Welch, who she claimed was “physically abusive.” Cops said they have had several interactions with the couple.
Investigators also spoke with one of Bakken’s friends, who said she received a call shortly after the fire. Bakken reportedly told her about Welch, saying, “I lit his a— on fire. He’s a d—.”
Cellphone location data placed Bakken in the area at the time of the fire, police said.
The suspect remains at the Gallatin County Detention Center on a $500,000 bond. She’s next slated to appear in court on Nov. 14.
