Man thought he’d score huge inheritance payday after landowner’s death but he only got $5K — so he brutally murdered the person who was left millions

A Montana man who believed he deserved a much larger share of a valuable inheritance will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars after admitting that he murdered the man who received millions of dollars worth of land from a deceased property owner.

The shocking case centers on 72-year-old James Phillip Lawrence and 67-year-old Edwin “Ed” Loder, whose death sparked an extensive homicide investigation that uncovered a deadly feud over a will and a fortune tied to valuable Montana property.

Authorities say Lawrence became enraged after learning that a deceased landowner’s estate left him and his wife only $5,000 each while awarding Loder approximately 80 acres of land worth millions of dollars.

That anger ultimately turned deadly.

The Missing Person Investigation That Uncovered a Murder

The investigation began in early September 2024 when Ed Loder was reported missing from his home in Polson, Montana, a community located roughly 70 miles north of Missoula.

Deputies from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area and quickly discovered evidence suggesting something far more sinister than a disappearance.

Investigators found blood near Loder’s residence. They also located his eyeglasses and at least five spent 9 mm shell casings near the property.

The discoveries immediately raised concerns that Loder had been the victim of a violent crime.

As detectives worked to piece together what happened, they searched Loder’s home and uncovered documents that would provide a crucial clue regarding a possible motive.

The Will That Sparked Jealousy and Resentment

During the investigation, deputies discovered a will connected to a neighboring landowner who had died.

According to court records and investigators, the will named Ed Loder as the beneficiary of approximately 80 acres of land adjacent to his property.

The land was reportedly worth millions of dollars.

While Lawrence and his wife were also included in the will, their inheritance was dramatically smaller. They were each set to receive only $5,000.

Authorities later learned that some individuals believed they were entitled to a much larger portion of the estate and were unhappy with how the inheritance had been distributed.

Investigators ultimately concluded that the inheritance dispute became the driving force behind the killing.

Detectives Focus on James Lawrence

As the investigation intensified, detectives reviewed surveillance footage and analyzed cellphone data.

The evidence pointed them toward James Lawrence.

According to investigators, Lawrence’s red Chevrolet pickup truck was in the area around the time authorities believed the murder occurred.

Detectives estimated that Loder was killed around August 30, 2024, several days before he was officially reported missing.

The combination of digital evidence, vehicle movements, and other investigative findings eventually led authorities to confront Lawrence.

“I’m Toast Anyways”: Lawrence Confesses

When questioned by investigators, Lawrence ultimately admitted responsibility for the killing.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Lawrence made a startling confession.

“I’m toast anyways I guess, so, yeah I did it,” he reportedly told detectives.

He then added, “I just got him.”

The confession provided investigators with critical details about both the motive and the events surrounding the murder.

Lawrence’s Claims About the Inheritance

During questioning, Lawrence explained that he believed Loder had manipulated the deceased landowner into changing her will.

He accused Loder of going to the woman’s deathbed with an attorney and convincing her to sign documents that heavily favored him while leaving Lawrence with very little.

However, investigators later discovered information that appeared to undermine Lawrence’s accusation.

According to detectives, evidence showed that the arrangement benefiting Loder had actually been established two to three years before the landowner died.

This suggested that the inheritance plan was not a last-minute decision and had been in place long before Lawrence claimed any alleged manipulation occurred.

The Fatal Shooting

Lawrence admitted that he became angry over the inheritance situation and confronted Loder.

According to investigators, Lawrence shot Loder multiple times.

He later told detectives that he could not remember exactly how many shots he fired.

Evidence recovered near the victim’s property, including multiple shell casings, supported the conclusion that Loder had been gunned down during the confrontation.

The killing was not the end of Lawrence’s actions.

Authorities say he then attempted to conceal the crime.

Moving and Hiding the Body

After shooting Loder, Lawrence loaded the victim’s body into his pickup truck.

He then drove to a remote area known as Jacko Canyon.

There, according to investigators, he disposed of the body in an effort to prevent authorities from discovering what had happened.

The concealment effort temporarily delayed the recovery of Loder’s remains.

However, after his confession, Lawrence led investigators directly to the location where he had left the body.

On September 6, 2024, authorities recovered Loder’s remains from the area identified by Lawrence.

The discovery provided investigators with additional evidence supporting the homicide case.

Arrest and Criminal Charges

Following his confession and the recovery of the body, Lawrence was arrested and booked into jail.

He remained incarcerated while prosecutors pursued the case.

Authorities charged him with deliberate homicide as well as tampering with evidence due to his efforts to hide the victim’s body and conceal the crime.

The case moved forward through Montana’s court system, eventually resulting in a guilty plea.

Guilty Plea Ends Trial Proceedings

In April 2026, Lawrence pleaded guilty to the charges against him.

The plea eliminated the need for a lengthy trial and ensured that the facts surrounding the killing would not be disputed in court.

However, prosecutors and defense attorneys still disagreed sharply about the nature of the crime when the case reached the sentencing phase.

Prosecutors Argue the Murder Was Planned

During sentencing proceedings, prosecutors described the killing as a premeditated murder driven by greed and resentment.

They argued that Lawrence carefully considered his actions and intentionally killed Loder because he was furious over the inheritance arrangement.

The state maintained that the evidence showed a deliberate act motivated by jealousy over wealth and property.

Defense Claims It Was a Crime of Passion

Lawrence’s defense attorney offered a different interpretation.

The defense argued that the shooting was not a carefully planned execution but rather a crime of passion fueled by emotional distress and anger over the inheritance dispute.

Defense counsel sought a less severe punishment by emphasizing Lawrence’s emotional state at the time of the killing.

The judge ultimately rejected arguments for leniency.

Maximum Sentence Imposed

The court handed Lawrence one of the harshest punishments available under the law.

He received 50 years in prison for deliberate homicide.

He was also sentenced to 10 years for tampering with evidence.

The sentences will run concurrently, meaning they will be served at the same time rather than consecutively.

The judge imposed the maximum sentence permitted, signaling the court’s view of the seriousness of the crime.

Given Lawrence’s age, the punishment will likely ensure that he spends the remainder of his life behind bars.

Family Remembers Ed Loder

During the sentencing hearing, members of Loder’s family spoke about the devastating impact of the murder.

His son, Greg Loder, described his father as a generous and respected member of the community.

According to Greg, Ed spent much of his life helping those around him and quietly making life better for others.

He told the court that his father was a beloved figure within the valley and a central part of their family.

The emotional statements highlighted the profound loss experienced by loved ones and community members following Loder’s death.

A Greed-Fueled Killing Ends in Life Behind Bars

What began as resentment over a will ultimately escalated into a deadly act of violence that destroyed multiple lives.

Investigators concluded that James Lawrence could not accept receiving only a small inheritance while another man stood to inherit property worth millions.

That jealousy led him to murder Ed Loder, conceal the body, and attempt to avoid responsibility.

But a combination of forensic evidence, surveillance footage, cellphone data, and Lawrence’s own confession unraveled the scheme.

With a guilty plea and a maximum prison sentence now imposed, the case stands as a stark example of how disputes over money and inheritance can turn deadly when greed overtakes reason.