Emily Rea

Contact Information:

Emily Rea was 33 years old when she was reported missing from Hungry Horse Reservoir in Flathead County, Montana, on July 16, 2024. A resident of West Glacier, Emily worked as a speech pathologist at a local nature-based school.

She was last seen heading out for a solo evening paddleboard excursion. When she failed to show up for work the next morning, her employer and family immediately realized something was wrong.

Case Details:

Emily Rea was an experienced outdoorswoman who loved hiking, camping, and being on the water. She had even spent several summers net fishing in Alaska, making her very familiar with water safety.

On the night she vanished, she drove her black Honda CRV to the Riverside Boat Launch. Investigators found her vehicle parked there, but Emily and her gear were initially nowhere to be found.

Timeline of Events:

Emily launched her paddleboard around 8:30 PM on July 16. The following day, July 17, search teams located her Honda CRV at the boat launch area.

On July 18, her paddleboard was discovered upside down near Flossy Creek, about two miles from her vehicle. Notably, her paddle was still stowed and assembled on the board, but her life jacket and cell phone were missing.

Investigation:

The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office has logged more than 1,800 hours in this search. They utilized divers, “Two Bear Air” helicopters, and specialized sonar teams from Idaho.

Sheriff Brian Heino stated that the reservoir’s bottom is difficult to search due to standing telephone lines and old building foundations. While authorities suspect an accidental drowning, they have found no physical evidence to confirm this theory.

Community Response:

The “Eyes for Emily” campaign has kept the case in the public eye through a dedicated website and social media presence. Friends and family have raised funds for a private investigator to look into the “anomalies” of the case.

Community members organized a “Paddle Out” event in July 2025 to mark the one-year anniversary of her disappearance. A reward of $25,000 was also offered for any information leading to her return.

Family Statements:

Emily Rea’s mother, Nina Rea, has been a tireless advocate, traveling from Georgia to Montana to oversee search efforts. She has expressed concerns that the case may involve foul play rather than a simple accident.

The family points to the fact that her paddle was stowed on the board as a “troubling” detail. They believe Emily was too experienced to have had a basic accident without leaving more evidence behind.

Physical Appearance:

Emily Rea is a white female, 5’5” tall, weighing approximately 120 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes and was in excellent physical condition at the time she vanished.

At the time of her disappearance, she was likely wearing athletic water gear. Her beloved dog, Hugo, was not with her on the reservoir and was taken in by friends following her disappearance.

Current Status:

As of March 2026, the case of Emily Rea remains an open missing persons investigation. While the Sheriff’s Office has scaled back daily operations, they continue to follow up on every credible tip.

There have been no confirmed sightings or digital footprints since July 2024. The case remains a high priority for local authorities as they continue to seek a definitive answer for her family.

Contact Information:

If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Emily Rea, please contact the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office at (406) 752-TIPS or email tips@flathead.mt.gov.

Tips can also be submitted through the Eyes for Emily website. Every piece of information, no matter how small, could be the key to bringing Emily home.

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