East Helena homicide suspect identified after fatal Reno standoff

Washoe County medical examiners confirmed William Bart Stuart as the man who died after a Reno standoff near Sharlands Avenue. Stuart, 52, of Helena, had been charged with felony vehicular homicide while under the influence, felony criminal endangerment and felony fleeing or eluding a peace officer in the crash that killed Terry Lamping.

The case centered on the November 22, 2025, collision at Lake Helena Drive and Old Highway 12 in East Helena, when an Audi A7 driven by Stuart crashed into a home after a Montana Highway Patrol pursuit. Terry Lamping, 69, died in the crash. Phil Lamping, 76, was critically injured and taken for advanced medical care. The aftermath brought funeral costs, lost work time and medical bills.

Stuart’s path through the court system had already moved past the first appearance stage. He appeared in Lewis and Clark County Justice Court on November 24, 2025, later entered a not guilty plea in district court and, by December 16, had a bond set at $500,000. His trial had been scheduled for May 18, 2026 before Judge McMahon. After he missed a court date, authorities issued a warrant and a missing person in danger advisory.

Reno police found Stuart near Sharlands Avenue around 9 p.m. on July 9. Officers surrounded his vehicle, heard a single gunshot and later determined that Stuart died by suicide. The Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed his identity through fingerprints and notified next of kin. Because a defendant cannot stand trial after death, the criminal case tied to the East Helena crash will not reach a verdict.

Terry Lynn Lamping’s obituary listed her as 69 and of East Helena, born May 27, 1956, in Great Falls.