Husband Attacks Wife With an Ax in a Missoula Parking Lot

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On September 7, 2026, Missoula Police Department officers were dispatched to a report of a male and female engaging in an altercation in a parking lot located at 2909 South Avenue. In the original call to dispatch, a female was heard in the background stating, “You tried to kill me with an ax, you hit me in the back of the head, I can’t feel the back of my head”. A second 911 caller saw and heard the female screaming, and the involved male walking away from the parking lot towards the recreation area of Fort Missoula.  

Upon arrival on scene, a female notified officers that the involved male was hiding in bushes near the dumpster area at the location. An officer located the male, identified as 65-year-old Robert Newbreast, sitting in the bushes. Newbreast complied with officer commands. He was detained in handcuffs and secured in a patrol vehicle.  

The officer then went back to the vehicle to speak with the female, Jane Doe. Doe was sitting in the passenger seat crying and hyperventilating. When asked what happened, Doe stated, “He f***ing led me outta his car with an ax.” Doe confirmed that Newbreast hit her in the back of the head and wanted medical attention. Doe stated that she could not walk over to Community Medical Center due to how dizzy she was.  

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The Disturbing Details of Domestic Violence

The officer observed a broken claw hair clip on the ground outside of the vehicle along with a broken bottle. Doe confirmed that she and Newbreast were in a relationship and that they are husband and wife. 

Doe stated that the incident started when she asked Newbreast to bring her to the hospital for an unrelated medical issue. Newbreast initially refused, but later agreed to drive her. Doe stated that she and Newbreast physically fought while in the vehicle, but did not disclose further details.  

Once they arrived at the parking lot, Doe reported that Newbreast stated, “You don’t b***h, or I’m going to put an ax in your head.” Newbreast then exited the vehicle for a short time before coming back to the passenger side of the vehicle where Doe was seated. Newbreast was angry with Doe and hit her on the back of the head with the fiberglass handle of an ax. When asked about the pain to her head on a scale of 1-10, Doe stated, “I don’t know. I can’t even think right now.”  

READ MORE: Missoula News - Crime Reports

Witness Testimonies: Fear and Destruction

A witness reported that he and his wife heard screaming and went outside and stood by his truck. He could hear a female screaming that the male was going to kill her. He reported that he observed the male go in and out of the vehicle several times before exiting the vehicle and smashing a bottle on the ground before walking away. 

Law enforcement located a black bladed hatchet with a yellow handle on scene, and the item was logged into evidence. Newbreast was arrested and transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility. He is currently being charged with felony assault with a weapon and felony partner or family member assault. According to court documents, Newbreast has four prior PFMA convictions. 

The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.