Airman charged in killing of Native American woman who went missing 7 months ago in South Dakota

A 24-year-old airman, Quinterius Chappelle, has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of Sahela Sangrait, a 21-year-old Native American woman who went missing in South Dakota approximately seven months ago. Chappelle made his initial court appearance on Monday, where he faced the single count related to the incident that allegedly took place on the Ellsworth Air Force Base, where he was stationed.

Authorities have stated that Sangrait's body was discovered on March 4 near the borders of Pennington and Custer counties, nearly seven months after she was reported missing on August 10. Her remains were found in a severely decomposed state. Officials have not disclosed whether Chappelle and Sangrait were acquainted prior to her disappearance, although it is known that she was originally from Box Elder, South Dakota.

Chappelle, who has been an active-duty airman since April 2019 and serves as an aircraft inspection journeyman with the 28th Maintenance Squadron, is currently being held at the Pennington County Jail. His case is being processed in federal court, and he is represented by the federal defender's office. The details of the case are sealed, and the defender's office has refrained from making any public comments.

In a statement, Col. Derek Oakley, commander of the 28th Bomb Wing, extended condolences to Sangrait's family and friends, emphasizing the commitment to holding service members accountable for actions that breach military or civilian laws. The base expressed its seriousness regarding the investigation and potential repercussions for those involved.

Sangrait was reported to have been staying with a friend in Eagle Butte with plans to return to Box Elder before heading to California, a journey she never completed. The case sheds light on the ongoing issue of missing Native Americans in South Dakota, a concern noted by authorities who point to numerous cases, particularly among women. Federal and state initiatives have been mobilized to address the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous individuals across the country.