Maze was found dead of a single gunshot wound Sept. 6 in the trunk of her black Pontiac Grand Prix in an industrial area near the Spokane airport. The 47-year-old woman, a mother and beloved elementary school cook in Great Falls, had reportedly been kidnapped the previous day at a rest stop along Interstate 15 on her way home from Helena.

Maze used her cellphone to speak with police and family members during her trip to Spokane. She told them a large man had struck her in the head and put her into the trunk. Her credit card also was used at least twice during the trip, in Kingston, Idaho, and Ritzville.

Investigators have raised questions about the kidnapping narrative and have not called her death a homicide.

The FBI said Wednesday it’s still lab-testing evidence from the various scenes involved in the case. A spokeswoman said the agency would not comment further at this time. Chad Sokol/SR

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