An active-duty member of the U.S. Air Force has been arrested and charged in connection with the murder of Sahela Sangrait, whose body was found nearly seven months after she went missing. The investigation into Sangrait’s death began when a hiker discovered her body in an area south of Hill City, S.D., leading to the arrest of Quinterius Chappelle, who is currently stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base. Chappelle, 24, was booked on federal charges of second-degree murder and taken into custody at Pennington County Jail on March 14. The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest on March 15 on their Facebook page.
Authorities have determined that Sangrait was murdered at the South Dakota Air Force base and the case will be prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office due to jurisdiction. The investigation was a joint effort involving local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, including the Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Bureau of Indian Affairs Missing and Murdered Unit, FBI, and the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations.
Chappelle’s legal representation is not yet known. The remains of Sangrait were identified a week after their discovery, and an official announcement was made on March 12 that the case was being treated as a homicide. Sangrait had been reported missing on August 10, 2024, and was last believed to be with a friend in Eagle Butte.
A GoFundMe campaign was set up to raise funds for Sangrait’s funeral expenses, describing her as a “beautiful” spirit known as Shy, who was intelligent, witty, and a positive presence to those around her.
