A Montana woman has been sentenced to 100 years in prison following a tragic carjacking that resulted in the death of a local tattoo artist. Kelsey Jo Staigmiller, 32, received this sentence after previously pleading guilty in December to charges of deliberate homicide and criminal mischief. The incident, which occurred in downtown Great Falls, has left the community mourning the loss of 51-year-old Sarah Bailey. Per People Magazine, Sarah Bailey was getting into her pickup truck after finishing her workday when she was approached by Staigmiller. Cascade County Attorney Josh Racki described the situation as a random encounter: “It was an actual case where wrong place, wrong time, completely innocent victim,” Racki stated. “It was one of those true scenarios where just someone’s going home from work and gets murdered.” The authorities were able to piece together the events thanks to surveillance footage captured by local businesses. When Staigmiller jumped into the pickup’s passenger seat, a physical struggle ensued, with Bailey seemingly attempting to retreat from the vehicle. During the altercation, Staigmiller reportedly attempted to push Bailey out of the truck while holding onto her hair. Bailey became entangled in her seatbelt as the vehicle began to move. It is a horrifying encounter that got out of control quickly As Staigmiller sped away, the truck turned, causing Bailey to swing outward. When she swung back, she ended up underneath the truck, where the back tire caught her foot. This motion pulled her free from the seatbelt, ultimately dragging her under the vehicle. The legal proceedings involved serious charges, including criminal mischief. According to Cornell Law School, an individual is guilty of criminal mischief if they purposely or recklessly tamper with the tangible property of another in a way that endangers a person or property, or if they damage such property through negligence or dangerous means. The severity of these charges reflects the tragic outcome of the incident. Great Falls: Kelsey Staigmiller was sentenced yesterday in Cascade County District Court to 100 years in prison, with 20 years suspended. The sentence stems from the 2025 fatal downtown carjacking that killed 50-year-old Sarah Bailey. Victim impact statements were read in…— themontanadaily (@themontanadaily) April 22, 2026 Furthermore, the Department of Justice outlines specific elements for carjacking, which include taking a motor vehicle from the presence of another through force, violence, or intimidation, with the intent to cause serious bodily harm or death. The fact that the vehicle was involved in interstate or foreign commerce is also a factor in these federal elements. Those who knew Sarah Bailey have expressed their profound grief and remembered her as a vibrant member of the community. Her client, Shannon McNamara-Stanczak, shared her memories, describing Bailey as someone who was generous, charitable, and funny. Another acquaintance, Julie Curtis, echoed these sentiments, stating that Bailey was an incredible human being. “She was a bright light, and she did not deserve to go this way,” Curtis said. Chuckie the Carjacker.— Reactive (@Reactively) April 23, 2026 Thanks to the conclusive video evidence, the legal process was able to move forward with a clear understanding of the actions taken that evening. With the 100-year sentence now handed down, the legal chapter of this incident has concluded, though the impact on the community and those who loved Bailey remains. The details provided by the prosecution illustrate that Bailey was an entirely innocent party caught in a senseless act of violence. Most encounters like this are baffling, especially when it affects the innocent. Not long ago, Marietta Allison, who was helping her friend, had a fateful encounter with a carjacker. Then, there is the case of genius scientist Carl Grillmair, whose shooter was caught after he attempted carjacking to get away.