UPDATE: Search for missing Redding mom, 24, ends in tragedy

March 2, 2021 Trevor Montgomery

UPDATE: Tuesday, March 2, 3:15 p.m., With updated information from victim’s husband.

Originally Published: Tuesday, March 2, 11:06 a.m.

REDDING, Calif. — The search for a missing and “at-risk” Redding woman ended today when the victim’s body was discovered after she apparently took her own life, according to the woman’s distraught husband. In a follow-up social media post to an earlier post he had made, the woman’s husband explained that he and officers found his deceased wife after tracking one of her cell phones.

Redding Police Department had announced the disappearance of Tiala Schmidt, 24, in a social media post that asked for information regarding the missing woman’s whereabouts. In their post officials said Tiala was considered at-risk due to her mental health status.

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According to the Redding Police Department and Tiala’s husband, Matt Balane, the missing woman had last been seen near her apartment on Shasta Street on March 1.

Balane later reported via social media that Tiala’s Venmo, CashApp, credit card, and debit card had not had any activity since her disappearance.

Redding PD reported that Tiala may have been driving a white 2019 Nissan Sentra, and provided details about the vehicle as well as the missing woman’s description while asking for the public’s help locating her.

Officials have confirmed that a missing woman, Tiala Schmidt, was discovered deceased in western Shasta County this morning and have said that no foul play was suspected. Tiala’s husband has since said his wife took her own life. Redding PD photo

As word began to spread about Tiala’s disappearance and the fliers made by Redding PD and Balane started circulating throughout social media, at around 2 p.m. this afternoon Balane made a new post explaining that his wife’s body had been found.

“It is with a broken heart, crushed spirit, and a confused mind that I write this,” Balane wrote in his updated post. “I’m so devastated to inform you all that my wife, best friend, and mother of my child, Tiala was found today after taking her own life.”

Balane went on to explain that Tiala’s old phone led to her discovery and said he drove over to the location and was there when her body was found by officers.

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In an update to their original missing person’s post, Redding PD wrote, “We regret to report that Tiala Schmidt was found deceased in western Shasta County this morning.”

“There does not appear to be any signs of foul play at this time,” Redding PD continued; adding, “The investigation is being handled by the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office.”

Saying, “This is an extremely tragic situation for our close friends and family,” Balane later thanked all those who helped spread the word about Tiala’s disappearance but requested everyone to now respect his family’s boundaries “and give our family space” to grieve and process their loss.

“(Your) smile will always be ingrained into my mind,” Balane wrote in his update. “You were the best wife and mama to our little Leila.”

“I promise to love her well and tell her all about you,” the grieving father added.

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Trevor Montgomery, 49, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source (RCNS) and Shasta County News Source (SCNS).

Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County-based newspapers Valley News, Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; the Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County; and Mountain Echo in Shasta County. He is also a regular contributor to Thin Blue Line TV and Law Enforcement News Network and has had his stories featured on news stations throughout the Southern California and North State regions.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 30 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 18 grandchildren.