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Authorities seeking answers about man found in critical condition in woods near Lincoln

Posted at 7:42 AM, Sep 12, 2018
and last updated 2018-09-12 09:42:58-04

LINCOLN- The Lewis & Clark County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a mystery, trying to determine what happened to a man found in critical condition in the woods near Lincoln more than two weeks ago.

According to Sheriff Leo Dutton, the victim’s car, a rented Ford Mustang, was found near a trailhead on Aug. 20. Four days later, a man walking the gulch with a metal detector heard moaning and found the man about two miles away from his car.

Dutton said the victim – a man in his 40s from Great Falls – had electrical cord wrapped around one of his legs.

He was taken to a hospital in Missoula, where he’s undergone multiple surgeries for internal injuries.

Dutton suspects foul play, but so far, the victim isn’t providing any details to investigators.

“If he would have died, we would have had a homicide on our hands, had it not been for the gentleman from Great Falls who was basically prospecting for gold with a metal detector,” Dutton said.

Dutton said investigators did find a cell phone, and they are trying to track down a man they believe was with the victim.

They’re also working with the FBI’s violent crime task force.

If you have any information that could help, call the Lewis & Clark County Sheriffs Office or 911.