Casey Blanchard family
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Montana Attorney General Tim Fox has provided an update on the condition of Highway Patrol Trooper Wade Palmer and Casey Blanchard.

Lindsey Palmer, wife of Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Wade Palmer, has provided the following update on Wade’s condition

“Wade continues to make progress in his recovery. We returned to Salt Lake City on June 17 so he could undergo a cranioplasty procedure. The surgery went well and Wade is much happier since its completion, especially since he no longer has to wear his helmet everywhere he goes. Under the care of wonderful therapists, Wade is making progress in his outpatient therapy at St. Patrick’s in Missoula. He remains nonverbal at this time but continues to make improvements in other forms of communication. Once again we want to thank the communities for all of the support and compassion we have received. We ask for prayers and privacy as we continue to search for our new normal.”

Leah Blanchard, wife of Casey Blanchard, has provided an update on Casey’s condition:

“Casey is making astonishing progress with the help of in-home care. In a few weeks he will begin outpatient physical therapy, followed by minor surgeries for shrapnel. He will remain home for the duration of his healing. Casey is beginning to move himself and getting into a new home routine with his family, including dressing, cooking, finding new ways to help with kids, etc. It feels like so much time has passed since this tragedy hit our family, but we still have a long way to go. Our emotional struggles intensified after Casey’s mother, Julie Blanchard, passed away, but Casey is strong and has shown his ability to overcome whatever arises in his path. Julie’s Celebration of Life is scheduled for July 28 at 2pm at the Lumberjack Saloon in Lolo. Our family is grateful to our hometown for helping in every way possible. The support has only made our settling in that much easier.”

Trooper Palmer and Casey Blanchard were critically wounded on March 15 in a shooting spree that began on Airway Boulevard when Shelly Hayes was shot to death. Casey Blanchard and his mother Julie were both shot multiple times.

Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Wade Palmer was shot three times in the head and neck near Evaro while investigating the shooting. Palmer and Casey Blanchard were transported to Salt Lake City for extensive treatment of their wounds. Julie Blanchard succumbed to her injuries in early June at a hospital in Washington state.

Charged in the shootings was 29 year-old Jonathan Bertsch who remains in the Missoula County Jail on $2 million bond.

 

 

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