PCSO and RCPD investigate suspicious death

At approximately 5:30pm on Thursday February 9th, Sheriff Deputies responded to a cardiac call at the 5500 block of Greenwood Lane in Rapid Valley.

Upon arrival, deputies found a 43-year-old female deceased at the scene. At this time, the death has been labeled suspicious and investigators continue to piece together the circumstances of her death. It is believed that illegal drug activity may have been a factor in this incident.

The victim has been identified as Tamra Jo Ness, 43, of Rapid City.

An autopsy has been done which showed no signs of trauma that would have resulted in her death. A final cause of death will be determined once further microscopic and toxicology tests are completed.

At this point, one arrest has been made.  Michelle Stout, 43, of Rapid City, was arrested and charged with Unauthorized Ingestion of a Controlled Substance.

The investigation is ongoing and is being handled by the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office and Rapid City Police Department.