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

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) -- Quinterius Chappelle, a 24-year-old airman stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base, has been charged with the second-degree murder of 21-year-old Sahela Sangrait, a Native American woman who had been missing for approximately seven months. Chappelle made his initial court appearance on Monday, with court documents related to the case currently sealed.

Authorities indicated that Sangrait was killed on the Ellsworth Air Force Base. As Chappelle is being prosecuted in federal court, he is represented by the federal defender's office, though no comments have been made on his behalf. He is currently held at Pennington County Jail. Chappelle has served in the Air Force since April 2019, working as an aircraft inspection journeyman.

Sangrait's remains were discovered by a hiker on March 4 near the borders of Pennington and Custer counties, after she had been reported missing on August 10. Her body was found in a severely decomposed state. Originally from Box Elder, South Dakota, Sahela was last known to be staying with a friend in Eagle Butte and planned to return to Box Elder before heading to California, though it is unclear if she ever made it there.

Authorities have not indicated whether Sangrait and Chappelle were acquainted. In South Dakota, there are currently 59 reported cases of missing Native Americans, more than half of which involve women. These alarming statistics have prompted the creation of federal and state task forces focused on investigating cases of missing and murdered indigenous people across the nation.

The investigation is ongoing, and inquiries directed to the U.S. attorney's office and the FBI have not yet received responses. The Bureau of Indian Affairs has redirected questions back to the agencies responsible for the investigation.