FBI not looking for suspects in death of Rita Maze, Montana woman who claimed she was kidnapped

The FBI said Wednesday agents are still investigating the unusual death of Rita Maze, whose body was found in a car trunk in Spokane after an hours-long trip from Helena.

But the agency said in a statement it’s “not actively seeking any suspects in this case.”

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; a handgun and two spent casings lay next to her.

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.

A law enforcement official with knowledge of the case, who was not authorized to speak publicly, told the Associated Press on Wednesday that investigators have found no reason to suspect foul play.

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.