HARDIN - Less than eight months after taking the job and entering the position in the midst of the highly publicized search for a missing Hardin girl, Big Horn County Undersheriff Eric Winburn has resigned.
The Big Horn County Commissioners office confirmed Wednesday that Winburn submitted his resignation letter dated Aug. 18 to Sheriff Pete Big Hair. The sheriff hand delivered the letter to the commissioner's office Wednesday morning.
The letter simply states: "As of today, August 18, 2020, I am resigning as Undersheriff in Big Horn County. I have enjoyed the opportunity to work for the citizens of Big Horn County."
There was no other information released about why Winburn resigned. The sheriff has not returned Q2's calls.
Winburn took the helm shortly after 16-year-old Selena Not Afraid went missing northwest of Hardin on Jan. 1, 2020. Her body was found 21 days later just over a mile from where she was last seen. The sheriff's office was criticized by some in the community for the handling of the case.
The Montana Medical Examiner Office officially ruled the Hardin girls’ death as hypothermia. The situation surrounding what happened to her was ruled accidental.
