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

A 24-year-old airman, Quinterius Chappelle, has been charged with the second-degree murder of Sahela Sangrait, a 21-year-old Native American woman who was reported missing in South Dakota around seven months ago. Chappelle made his initial court appearance on Monday, and although court documents remain sealed, authorities confirmed that the homicide took place on the Ellsworth Air Force Base, where he was stationed.

Chappelle, who works as an aircraft inspection journeyman for the 28th Maintenance Squadron at Ellsworth, is currently being held at the Pennington County Jail and is represented by the federal defender's office, which declined to make a comment on his behalf. The case is being pursued in federal court, signifying the seriousness of the allegations against him.

Sangrait's body was discovered by a hiker on March 4, near where Pennington County meets Custer County. She had been reported missing on August 10, and the condition of her remains indicated significant decomposition, complicating the investigation into her death. Details regarding any prior relationship between Sangrait and Chappelle have not been disclosed.

Originally from Box Elder, South Dakota, Sangrait was last known to be staying with a friend in Eagle Butte and intended to return to Box Elder before leaving for California. The circumstances surrounding her disappearance and subsequent death remain unclear. Reports indicate that there are currently 59 active missing person cases involving Native Americans in South Dakota, with over half of those cases concerning women.

The increased prevalence of missing and murdered Indigenous women has prompted the formation of federal and state task forces aimed at addressing these troubling trends. There has been a call for accountability in such cases, as highlighted by Col. Derek Oakley, the commander of the 28th Bomb Wing, who expressed condolences to Sangrait's family and emphasized the military's commitment to upholding the law.