Great Falls, MT — Kelsey Staigmiller, the woman arrested near Missoula last month, has been formally charged with deliberate homicide, criminal endangerment, and criminal mischief in connection with the death of Sarah Bailey.
Staigmiller appeared in Cascade County court Monday for her initial hearing, where the court set her bail at $500,000. Her defense attorney requested a significant reduction to $10,000, citing Staigmiller’s willingness to wear a GPS or alcohol monitoring device and describing the incident as “very isolated” with no further risk to the community. Judge Elizabeth Best declined the request, citing the severity of the charges.
Staigmiller was initially arrested on May 18 after allegedly carjacking Bailey and driving recklessly as Bailey struggled to regain control of her vehicle. The incident tragically resulted in Bailey’s death. Staigmiller fled the scene but was later apprehended in Missoula County driving Bailey’s car.
According to Cascade County Attorney Josh Racki, Staigmiller does not have a felony criminal history in Cascade County, though she has been subject to approximately 18 arrest warrants since 2020, with seven outstanding at the time of the incident.
During the hearing, Staigmiller pleaded not guilty to the charges. Her parents were present in court but declined to comment.
Sarah Bailey was a well-known figure in the Great Falls community, having worked at Sparrow & Arrows, her tattoo studio on Central Avenue, for 11 years. Local business owner Julie Curtis described Bailey as “an incredible human” and “a bright light,” lamenting that she “did not deserve to go this way.”
The case remains under investigation as the community mourns the loss of a beloved local artist and awaits further legal proceedings.
