INSPIRASUNS

If you are new to reading this little blog, you may not know about Emily Rea. She is the niece of a dear friend of mine. Emily went missing on July 16, 2024. She went out to paddleboard as she regularly did, and has not been seen since.

Today is Emily’s 35th birthday, and her family has shared an update. They’ve asked that we pass it along on our social media channels. I wanted to share it here with you, to provide the latest information and to ask you to continue to pray. If you live in MT, and might have any information, please reach out to the local Flathead authorities at tips@flathead.mt.gov. Also, here is a website with the full story of her disappearance, and updates: eyesforemily.com .

Here is the latest from Emily’s mom:

May 11th, 2026 — Emily’s 35th Birthday
Dearest Emily, you are still being held closely in countless thoughts and prayers.

Wherever you are, may you not only know, but feel embraced and covered by the infinite love of God. Although outside our understanding of time and place, He promises to be with you.

May that realization be even more resounding on this, May 11th, 2026, your 35th birthday!

Much has transpired and been accomplished since the last update. Here is where things stand.

PETITION

Thanks to each of you who signed and collected signatures; over 5,200 were collected in short order, requesting federal assistance with Emily’s case. They were delivered to the MT Attorney General, Austin Knudsen’s office. The request has yet to result in action.

EXPERTS AND LEGAL SUPPORT
Since the last update, our family has enlisted a significant team of outside expertise:
-The services of a Private Investigator
-A forensic cybersecurity firm
-A forensic accountant — we’re still waiting on the report to correlate it with other findings.
-Additional out-of-state Missing Persons Detectives have offered their time and expertise; we’ve accepted.
-We have also been gifted with the services of legal counsel.

DATA AND EVIDENCE
-Emily’s computer data has finally been accessed and is being forensically analyzed.
-Her mobile phone data has been released and is in the process of being scrutinized by forensic experts.
-Her paddleboard and car are undergoing additional processing by an independent agency.
-Law Enforcement lab reports have yet to be returned, which will help direct our next steps.

FOR CONTEXT AND TRANSPARENCY
Emily’s case investigation is currently inactive/pending leads, meaning the case is not closed. The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office will continue to follow up on credible tips and leads; however, they do not currently have an active criminal investigation.

Although we have continued appreciation for the extensive water search and experts involved, we are deeply grieved that Emily’s disappearance doesn’t appear to have been treated from the beginning as more than a water accident. Numbers of us still question whether she ever even made it onto the water — especially now, after such extensive water searches have been conducted by high-level experts, and not finding Emily. Since she is thought to be missing from Flathead National Forest, why was she not qualified for federal assistance right away, or yet?

Although listed with legitimate agencies such as NamUS, NCIC, and CODIS, Emily doesn’t fit the demographic profile for a number of agencies you hopefully recommended, and we contacted — i.e., due to ethnicity, age, civilian vs. military, situation (result of conflict, human rights abuses, disaster, organized crime, migration, and other circumstances).

And some perspective…

Unlike TV crime dramas, investigations take time —we’re painfully learning a lot of time, physical, and financial resources. We have been told too often; all are in short supply. That extends beyond Flathead County, MT. Take a moment to think about the state of our country: government shutdowns, political rearranging, loss of jobs, and how those affect our accessibility to national resources.

For reference:
– The *NCIC/FBI lists a total of 533,936 Missing Persons in 2024, with 93,447 active cases as of 12/31/2024.
– The state of MT lists a total of 2,263 missing persons in 2024, with 114 current active cases.
*(National Crime Information Center).

CURRENT ACTION STEPS
As with a fabulous resume, we are asking you to continue to help get Emily off the page; make her the real, vibrant, fun, incredibly talented, genuine, loving, and giving person she is, who desperately needs to be found.

Please continue to help make Emily’s case known far and wide by spreading the word everywhere — social media, billboards, church, civic groups, and beyond.

Someone, somewhere, knows something. I implore you to stick with me until we find who, where, or what.

Soon, we will be sharing an updated flyer along with some specific action steps you can take to support the search. Stay tuned.

Friends, please continue to pray daily for the return of sweet Emily Rea. Continue to ask Father to show her to the authorities in whatever form that takes. May she be brought home to her family. Thank you, everyone.

Mark 11:24
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.