The sheriff said homicide investigations can take a long time, and that investigators are still recreating the scene. He said investigators believe the homicide to be an isolated incident, and that there is no threat to the community.

Authorities have released little information about Becker, but his obituary in the Rapid City, S.D., newspaper on Nov. 27 tells something about him.

Becker was born in California, was married for 13 years and had three sons.

“He was a miner and logger before becoming an industrial painter, a trade which took him to Wyoming, Colorado, Washington, and eventually to Montana in 1995, where he settled and built his cabin home near Anaconda. His painting skills were a source of pride for him, as he was meticulous with his preparation and finishing to make sure each job would last for years.

“Stanley was an inventive tinkerer and enjoyed the challenge of devising tools, toys and gifts, making use of unusual materials that most wouldn’t think of. He was also an avid rock hound, searching his property and nearby mountains and riverbeds for peculiar and interesting stones to shape and polish which he loved to show and share.”

The obituary also said:

“Stanley was a kind-hearted man, who loved God, his family and friends. He lived by humble standards on his mountain top home where he enjoyed the solitude and peace of his natural environment. He found joy in the simple things in life that most would overlook or ignore, he even kept track of things like the first snow and elk that would wander nearby. He was unconventional in how he lived, and his unique manner was the thing that made him special.”

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0