Hope, Heartbreak, and a Birthday: Billings Vigil for Missing Kisha Bear

UPDATE: Due to the forecast calling for cold and rainy weather, this event has been rescheduled to Sunday, July 20th at 4 p.m. at Optimist Park in Billings.

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This Wednesday, July 16, a gathering will take place at Optimist Park in Billings. Friends, family, and community members will come together to honor Rickisha "Kisha" Bear on what would be her 21st birthday.

While the pain of her absence still hangs heavy, the vigil is a chance to celebrate her life, share memories, and remind the world that Kisha is not forgotten.

Anyone who knew Kisha, cares about her story, or wants to support the movement for missing and murdered Indigenous people is welcome. The vigil begins at 7 p.m. and will be an informal evening filled with remembrance, reflection, and hope.

READ MORE: $10K Reward for Missing Montana Teen Sa’Wade Birdinground

Light snacks and water will be available, and flyers will be on hand for anyone who wants to help raise awareness. Families of other missing and murdered Indigenous people are encouraged to come, share, and bring flyers of their loved ones as well.

One Year Since Kisha Bear Was Last Heard From

It’s now been a full year since 20 year old Kisha Bear last spoke with her loved ones. Known for her big heart and free spirit, Kisha often traveled across Montana to visit family and friends. In early 2024, she was in the Rocky Boy/Havre area before heading to Billings and later the Flathead Reservation.

READ MORE: A Family’s Tireless Search for Missing Billings, Montana Woman

During a short stay in Pablo, she told a friend she wanted to get help for substance use, and her friend helped arrange an appointment. But Kisha left unexpectedly, sometime overnight before that appointment, and hasn’t been heard from since. Her final Facebook post was made on February 3, 2024.

The Search for Kisha Bear Began With a Mother's Plea

Concern quickly spread among her family. On February 7, her mother posted on Facebook asking if anyone had seen her daughter. By late March, Kisha’s aunt filed an official missing persons report with the Lake County Sheriff’s Department. Although Kisha sometimes kept her distance, being out of contact for this long was deeply out of character.

Possible Sightings in Billings Raise Hope and Questions

There have been possible sightings of Kisha in Billings as recently as June 2024, according to reports from Out of Sight: Missing and Murdered. However, none of these sightings have been officially confirmed. Still, those who love her continue to search and speak her name, holding on to hope and urging the community to keep their eyes open.

Distinctive Features May Help Identify Kisha

Kisha is between 4'10" and 5'0", with a petite frame weighing between 120 and 140 pounds. She has brown eyes and brown hair that was dyed bright red with dark roots at the time she went missing. Kisha has braces, ear piercings, a nose stud, and tattoos, a noticeable one on the right side of her neck and another reading “Baby Girl” near her collarbone.

How You Can Help Bring Kisha Home

The search for Kisha is still active. If you have any information, no matter how small it might seem, please contact the Lake County Sheriff’s Office at (406) 883-7301 or the Rocky Boy Police Department at (406) 395-4513. A $1,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to her location.

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More Than a Gathering,  a Call for Justice

As the community gathers on what should be a day of celebration, we hold space for Kisha, for her family, and for every missing and murdered Indigenous person whose story deserves to be told. The vigil is about love, but it’s also a reminder that we must continue demanding answers, visibility, and justice. Because Kisha matters. And she is missed.