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 the murder of Sahela Sangrait, a 21-year-old Native American woman who was reported missing in South Dakota approximately seven months ago. Chappelle made his initial court appearance on a charge of second-degree murder, with the incident reportedly occurring at the Ellsworth Air Force Base where he was stationed. Details surrounding the case remain limited as court documents are sealed.

Chappelle is currently being held at the Pennington County Jail and is represented by the federal defender's office. The base commander, Col. Derek Oakley, expressed condolences for Sangrait's family and emphasized accountability for airmen involved in criminal activities, stating that service members violating laws will face consequences.

On March 4, a hiker found Sangrait's body near the Pennington and Custer County lines, with her remains significantly decomposed. Sangrait had been missing since August 10, and authorities have not confirmed any connection between her and Chappelle.

Originally from Box Elder, South Dakota, Sangrait was last seen staying with a friend in Eagle Butte and intended to return home before traveling to California. The timeline of her whereabouts leading up to her disappearance remains unclear.

The case highlights ongoing issues regarding missing indigenous persons, with 59 reported cases in South Dakota, the majority involving women. This situation has prompted the establishment of federal and state task forces dedicated to investigating cases of missing and murdered indigenous people across the nation.