Civil claim · Civil case open
Ross Robertson — inquest and lawsuit
Missoula, in Missoula Police custody · Missoula
Died May 29, 2024; suit filed January 7, 2026
What was published
Ross M. Robertson, 39, died May 29, 2024, while in Missoula Police custody during a structure-fire investigation. His mother, Patti Jacques, sued the City of Missoula on January 7, 2026, in Missoula County District Court, Cause No. DV-32-2026-0000037-WF, for herself and as personal representative of the estate. The complaint cites 42 U.S.C. § 1983, Montana wrongful-death statutes, and constitutional claims, and alleges unnecessary deadly force. The Missoulian reported that the city’s May 1, 2026 answer denies that account and says Robertson refused to answer questions about the fire, tried to flee, and engaged in threatening behavior. The paper noted it had corrected an earlier date for the death. A hearing had not been scheduled as of the May 7 story.
Where it stands
The Missoulian reported on June 6, 2026, that a coroner’s jury found the day before that no criminal activity was responsible for the death. That verdict does not decide the civil case.
Does not establish
This ledger does not describe the medical cause, the number of shots, or any video. Those details belong in the inquest record and the court file, which should be read themselves. An inquest has no opposing party and is not a trial of the civil claims.
Sources
- Complaint, Jacques v. City of MissoulaMissoula County District Court, via Missoulian PDF
Filed January 7, 2026. DV-32-2026-0000037-WF.
- City denies wrongdoingMissoulian
Andy Tallman, May 7, 2026. Includes a printed correction on the date of death.
- Jury finds no criminal activityMissoulian
Reported June 6, 2026, about the Friday inquest.









