Two Years Later - July 20, 2023

July 20, 2021 Our lives changed. I have debated on what to write and how to write it. Honor and Respect the Light and Love of Rebekah. Publish the journey that we are still on? Families of Missing and Murdered have no real closure. Especially when Investigations are hindered and obstructed. "River Accident" is only a theory that NO ONE can prove. The fact that the COA keeps the case an Open Investigation, either is an example of their continued Obstruction of Justice by not releasing requested documents or they truly think there is something more. We will do both today. We will honor Rebekah's life by publishing the narrative regarding the corruption that is evident in the State of Montana that no one has the courage to confront, except a Mom from back East who will seek Justice for Rebekah and others that have been effected by the spirit of corruption in Montana. (IMO). 

Rebekah has changed so many lives beyond her years on earth. We love you and Miss you Rebekah. Your Mom, Dad, Gerry, Tony, Aunt Laura, Cousins, Nieces and Nephews and the friends you met along the way.   Please take the time to read the below narrative. Take the time to Honor/Remember Rebekah and all victims of Domestic Violence and Missing Persons, MMIW, MMIP today. - published by Angela Mastrovito - Rebekah's Mom

Rebekah was divorcing her husband, David Barsotti and had moved to a new city for a fresh start. She went back to the town of Superior, MT, 50 minutes away from her new home in Missoula; to gather the rest of her belongings, 2 years ago today, July 20, 2021. She was never seen again until a body was found 10 ½ months later.

The legal documents state that the body was on the “riverbank” near the water. Sheriff Ryan Funke (Deputy at time the body was recovered) informed the State Crime Lab that the body was found “in the water”. The Certificate of Death also identifies Rebekah as dying “within minutes” but she didn’t die in Alberton according to Sheriff Funke. She died in Superior, MT. That is 30 miles or more river miles from the place they “think” was the point of entry.

Rebekah was supposed to go to the Big Eddy, in Superior, MT. Her vehicle and personal belongings were found at MM72 more than 30 miles away. Missoula Sheriff Department showed us 2 different videos. They say that it was recorded on her phone on July 20, 2021. That video has NEVER uploaded to the cloud. The phone would have been within the area of a cell tower and able to upload when the phone was initially accessed in Helena. 

Although, I was provided a court order to be able to inspect her personal belongings before they were returned to her ESTRANGED husband, David Barsotti – Deputy County Attorney Walter Congdon made certain that did not happen. The Sheriff Department has obstructed all communication with them regarding my daughter’s case. In the Writ of Mandamus hearings, Judge Vanetta references a Code of Conduct known as “Candor of the Court”. I can honestly say that was not a consideration in Judge Jason Mark’s court. Evidence has been lost by various parties involved. The location of Rebekah’s laptop continues to be unknown. In my opinion, the Obstruction of Justice is evident in dealings with the Sheriff Department and the County Attorney’s Office. 

Despite threats from David Barsotti to Rebekah - “The House is Mine”, a text sent to me her myself her mother, “he has threatened to beat me, kill me, kill my dog, burn the house down and drive my truck into the river” – that circumstantial evidence along with a statement from Elizabeth I. Taylor and several statements from others regarding a history of abuse in relationships……the local law enforcement agency has refused to consider these things. They also refuse to consider the threat on our lives that was made and there are recordings of it that Law Enforcement have in possession but say they cannot identify the voice.

Actually, all the things they say they cannot do; emphasize the lack of training and education that they possess. In my opinion, they keep proving how incompetent they truly are. Sheriff Mike Toth’s statement “who do you think she is, the President” actually is embedded in the Department and that is evident by the lack of attention to the case. As far as Mineral County is concerned, Rebekah’s life had little value.

I have learned these past 2 years, that the “good ole boys” run deep in Montana and extend beyond the town of Mineral County. That the term “Chain of Custody” is a Statute that is not upheld in the state. Three different counties cannot provide evidence of Chain of Custody, because none exists. Victim shaming and gaslighting is alive and well in the State of Montana. So is silence. Silence to the Missing and Murdered because it could upset the revenue base that is a benefit of tourism. 

To me, Rebekah’s Mom, she was a beautiful young woman with intelligence and wit. She was determined and quite accomplished in the out of doors. She was independent and adventurous. Rebekah had great worth and value. She had dreams. Her Love and Light went before her. She went Missing the same day she met with Bevin Harkins Cook Adams, David’s caregiver. Lynette Kemp and Christopher Kemp, along with Corey Longtin are just a few of his alibis that day. James Mapledoram (a friend of David’s) was supposedly the named beneficiary on an Accidental Insurance Policy taken out on a 30 year old that scrubbed toilets and cared for her “disabled” husband. Rebekah had no opportunity to participate in risky sports. 

There will be Justice for Rebekah. I don’t know when. I don’t know how. Eventually, there will be another victim in Mineral County. Maybe that victim will have a higher value in social status. Maybe they will have more contacts and more money to get the attention that is needed. Maybe they will be generational to Montana and think there needs to be change because it effected their family. Maybe then…..

My daughter’s life did matter and is facilitating change and saving lives. Survivors of Domestic Violence are saying that Rebekah’s Legacy saved them.

Individuals have become aware of Narcissism and know what to look for. Remember, Never go back. Never go alone. Say their name to remember them. 

It has been many months since our last update. Silence can often reflect standing down or giving up. We are doing neither. Our Silence was necessary as we Repositioned Ourselves in this journey that has taken longer and had more twists and turns than we ever imagined.

We were waiting for Judge Jason Marks of the 4th District Court of Missoula County, Montana to address Motions presented, Requests for Hearings, and a Claim against the Estate (presented because the Judge had failed to address Motions/Requests for many months (approximately 1 year).

Judge Jason Marks made his ruling. He withdrew his decision to award me Conservatorship and Guardian. He acknowledged my right to a hearing but denied both requests. He has attempted to reverse the Missing Person Status, stating Rebekah was always dead and never missing. In the State of Montana if you are MISSING you are presumed ALIVE until found. Decisions granting Conservatorship/Guardianship were awarded October 2021, November 2021, January and February 2022. The body was found May 17, 2022. The Claim denied.

We have successfully filed an Appeal to take our case before the Montana State Supreme Court. Just two weeks ago our attorney filed the Brief on our behalf. This is a daunting process and one that will continue to interfere with our ability to heal through this grief journey.

Other events have also transpired. We were the recipients of Internet Harassment. Despite having the messages and emails, I had to call multiple Sheriff Departments to finally have one of them file a report. Nothing in Rebekah's case has been easy.

Most recently, we have been informed that Human Remains have been lost. I cannot even describe the black abyss that threw us into. Dr. Thomas Bennett, Forensics Pathologist informed us that The Coroner of Basin, WY "misplaced" them. Those Human Remains were to determine if there was a Mitochondrial DNA match to me, Rebekah’s Mother.

We began our journey with the courts to seek Justice for Rebekah and to be a beacon of hope for others specifically in Montana, especially those who have been victimized by Law Enforcement and the Judicial system in Montana. Montana government agencies have done all they can to SILENCE us and to make Rebekah Grace Rose Barsotti INVISIBLE.

We have successfully launched Rebekah's Legacy website to provide resources to families of Missing Persons and Victims/Survivors of Domestic Violence. What we have not been able to move forward with is establishing a Non-Profit. The reason for this is we cannot benefit from the Non-Profit. Therefore, I make a plea to the public for continued financial support to work our way through the court system.

Submitting an Appeal to the Supreme Court is costly.

My attorney asked me why I was proceeding. One of Rebekah's last communications with me was "I will let the Judge decide". Rebekah's voice was made silent the day she went Missing. She was silenced at the Personal Family Member Assault trial because she was Missing. The jury was not allowed to be informed of that, but Attorney Paul Ryan made a statement that "Rebekah could not be bothered to be present for the hearing she requested". Talk about swaying the jury.

Judge Marks refused to allow me due process in the courts on my daughter's behalf.

If this is happening to Rebekah and her case, then be certain that there are others. We have spoken with those who prefer not to be identified because they are confident that there would be repercussions from the very agencies that are supposed to protect them.

So, we march forward. We may or may not be successful. One thing for sure - Sheriff Mike Toth said they didn't know about me. Montana government representatives know about me now. There is typically silence when I call, or affirmation that they know about my daughter's case.

Laws must change in Montana and nationally. I cannot do that alone. I have aligned myself with Cheryl Horn and Charli Sleeper, MMIW Representatives as well as with a national group, No More Silence End Domestic Violence. NMSEDV will be promoting change at the Federal level of government and then work towards each state adopting the changes.

Laws that I am specifically interested in and looking forward to working on-

1) When there is a history of Domestic Violence with a specific partner/person that person needs to be considered a person of interest until they are proven to be innocent. In Rebekah's case - despite an active PFMA charge, the Sheriff Department informed us that "David was not a person of interest and never would be".

2) When the person is MISSING, if a PFMA charge goes to trial, the jury is to be informed the person is MISSING.

3) When there is a history and active charge of Domestic Violence and the 2 parties are separated, there needs to be an escape clause that allows for legal separation instead of waiting the allocated number of days in the corresponding state. In Montana it is 180 days. Rebekah was separate and apart from David for 132 days before she went missing.

4) If the Missing Person is found deceased and there was an active PFMA charge at the time of them Missing, they are not to be returned to their abuser.

We will also continue to enhance Rebekah’s Legacy website to provide resources to the community.

I appreciate your consideration for continuing to support our Go Fund Me to
BE REBEKAH’S VOICE for herself and OTHERS

Humbly submitted,
Angela and Gerry Mastrovito