Topline: Investigators determined the victim was murdered on the Air Force base.
Published: March 19, 2025 7:30 am ET
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Sahela Sangrait (via GoFundMe)
PENNINGTON COUNTY, SD – Officials say an active duty Airman was arrested for murder after human remains were discovered of a missing South Dakota woman.
The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office said 24-year-old Quinterius Chappelle, an active-duty Airman stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base, has been charged with second degree murder in the death of 21-year-old Sahela Sangrait.
The investigation began on March 4, 2025, when deputies were dispatched to a location south of Hill City, near the Pennington and Custer County line, after a hiker discovered a badly decomposed body. The remains were identified as Sangrait, who was missing since August 10, 2024.
Authorities say the investigation led to the arrest of Chappell and determined Sangrait was murdered on the Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, South Dakota.
The investigation has involved a collaborative effort among local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, including the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Bureau of Indian Affairs Missing and Murdered Unit, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations.
Due to the jurisdiction of the crime, the case will be prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office.
Authorities have not disclosed how Chappelle and Sangrait knew each other or how they came into contact.
Updates will be published as information is made available.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Published: March 19, 2025 7:30 am ET
Sahela Sangrait (via GoFundMe)
PENNINGTON COUNTY, SD – Officials say an active duty Airman was arrested for murder after human remains were discovered of a missing South Dakota woman.
The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office said 24-year-old Quinterius Chappelle, an active-duty Airman stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base, has been charged with second degree murder in the death of 21-year-old Sahela Sangrait.
The investigation began on March 4, 2025, when deputies were dispatched to a location south of Hill City, near the Pennington and Custer County line, after a hiker discovered a badly decomposed body. The remains were identified as Sangrait, who was missing since August 10, 2024.
Authorities say the investigation led to the arrest of Chappell and determined Sangrait was murdered on the Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, South Dakota.
The investigation has involved a collaborative effort among local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, including the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Bureau of Indian Affairs Missing and Murdered Unit, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations.
Due to the jurisdiction of the crime, the case will be prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office.
Authorities have not disclosed how Chappelle and Sangrait knew each other or how they came into contact.
Updates will be published as information is made available.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Active Duty Airman Faces Murder Charge After Remains Found of Woman Missing for Seven Months
Investigators determined the victim was murdered on the Air Force base.
By Jacob Charles
Published: March 19, 2025 7:30 am ET
Sahela Sangrait (via GoFundMe)
PENNINGTON COUNTY, SD – Officials say an active duty Airman was arrested for murder after human remains were discovered of a missing South Dakota woman.
The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office said 24-year-old Quinterius Chappelle, an active-duty Airman stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base, has been charged with second degree murder in the death of 21-year-old Sahela Sangrait.
The investigation began on March 4, 2025, when deputies were dispatched to a location south of Hill City, near the Pennington and Custer County line, after a hiker discovered a badly decomposed body. The remains were identified as Sangrait, who was missing since August 10, 2024.
Authorities say the investigation led to the arrest of Chappell and determined Sangrait was murdered on the Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, South Dakota.
The investigation has involved a collaborative effort among local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, including the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Bureau of Indian Affairs Missing and Murdered Unit, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations.
Due to the jurisdiction of the crime, the case will be prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office.
Authorities have not disclosed how Chappelle and Sangrait knew each other or how they came into contact.
Updates will be published as information is made available.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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