A hiker made a shocking discovery south of Hill City on March 4. The body was badly decomposed and found near the line between Pennington County and Custer County.
At around 1:00 p.m., Pennington County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the scene. The hiker had reported finding human remains. Upon arrival, deputies confirmed the discovery.
The body showed no signs of identification. Investigators are working hard to figure out who the person is. They are also looking into the cause of death. At this time, no further details are available to the public. The authorities will provide updates when they can.
Autopsy confirms the body is that of an adult, gender unknown
The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that the remains belong to an adult. The determination was made using an autopsy and forensic dentistry.
However, investigators do not yet know whether the person was male or female. The body does not provide enough information to make that call yet.
Authorities are working with experts from around the country. These specialists help identify remains like the ones found near Hill City. Captain Taylor Sperle spoke to the media, stating they are in contact with these experts. They hope the specialists can offer additional information to help solve the case and identify the victim.
“We are talking to these organizations to see how they can assist us,” said Sperle. “They have the resources to help us and may provide further insights.”
Investigation continues, law enforcement urges public to help
The investigation is ongoing. Law enforcement urges public to help identify the body. The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office is working closely with the Rapid City Police Department. They are also coordinating with local, state, and federal agencies. These agencies are reviewing missing persons reports to find possible matches.
Authorities are asking the public for help. Anyone who has information that could assist with the case is urged to contact Investigator Jorge Salas. You can reach him at (605) 394-6115.
The case is being treated seriously, and more information will be shared when available. NewsCenter1 will continue to provide updates as the investigation progresses.
