Joseph Friese dies in fatal Great Falls drowning

Joseph Friese dies in fatal Great Falls drowning

Fatal Great Falls drowning death of Joseph Friese

Joseph (Joey) Friese, aged 42, has been identified as the man who drowned in the Missouri River in Great Falls on Sunday, June 8, 2025, according to Cascade County Sheriff and Coroner Jesse Slaughter.

Friese had been operating a remote-controlled boat on the river when he reportedly entered the water to retrieve it after something malfunctioned. Around 4:20 p.m., rescue teams were dispatched when he began having trouble in the current.

Great Falls Fire Rescue Chief Mike McIntosh stated that Friese encountered difficulties while trying to recover the boat and started to struggle in the water. Despite rescue efforts, Friese was later found deceased, and his death was ruled accidental due to drowning.

Friese’s obituary notes that a public viewing will be held on June 25 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at O’Connor Funeral Home, with a funeral service scheduled for June 26 at 1 p.m. at O’Connor Memorial Chapel. He will be buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery, followed by a celebration of life at The Do Bar.

This tragic incident came on the same day that a separate river rescue was launched earlier that morning involving a woman who jumped off Warden Bridge and survived. Emergency responders emphasized the dangers of the river’s swift current, hidden debris, and undertows still present due to seasonal runoff.

Authorities urge river visitors to wear lifejackets and take necessary safety precautions, even if they are experienced swimmers. The Missouri River remains a powerful and unpredictable force, demanding caution from all who enter its waters.