A team of investigators from the Rapid City Police Department made a mysterious discovery in January when they unearthed the remains of a woman whose identity had eluded them. In a recent news release, the forensics laboratory Othram, Inc. disclosed that despite the recovery of the woman’s remains, her identity remained a puzzle. In their pursuit to unravel this mystery, the Rapid City police collaborated with the BIA’s missing and murdered unit to explore the potential of advanced DNA testing offered by Othram, a pioneering forensic lab that aids law enforcement agencies nationwide in resolving cold cases. Through a cutting-edge analysis known as forensic-grade genome sequencing, the lab’s scientists were able to trace a possible familial connection to Elbow Shield by constructing DNA profiles from crime scene evidence. Subsequently, a direct DNA sample from a relative was obtained, enabling investigators to confirm the biological match and ultimately identify Elbow Shield, as reported by Othram.
The investigation into Elbow Shield’s disappearance and demise is currently ongoing. Sharing his thoughts following the confirmation of Elbow Shield’s identity, Rapid City Police Chief Don Hedrick expressed hope that this recent development would bring some closure to her loved ones, as stated by CBS News affiliate KELO-TV. Chief Hedrick reiterated the department’s commitment to thoroughly probe the circumstances surrounding Elbow Shield’s disappearance in collaboration with relevant public safety agencies to ensure justice prevails in this case. The breakthrough in the investigation was credited to information provided by the public, prompting the police to leverage all available resources to bring closure to this case.
The prevalence of missing and murdered Indigenous women in the United States represents a grave crisis, with Native American women being disproportionately targeted in cases of homicide, sexual assault, and other violent acts, both on reservations and in nearby communities. According to data from the anti-sexual assault organization RAINN, sourced from the National Crime Information Center, over 5,700 reports of missing Native women and girls were recorded in 2016. More recent estimates from the BIA suggest that approximately 4,200 cases of missing and murdered Indigenous people remain unresolved.
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