Rapid City police are currently investigating an unattended death after human remains were located near Rapid Creek.
On March 31st at around 3:00 p.m., police were dispatched to 3333 Jolley Lane after a grounds keeper discovered an object which appeared to be a human skull. On arrival, police were directed to an area near Rapid Creek where the object was located. On further inspection, police determined the skull to be real.
The RCPD’s Criminal Investigation Division was called to the scene to continue the investigation. The area was searched and police located most of the skeletal remains. They were collected and stored as evidence. The recovered remains appear to be those of an adult.
At this time, police continue to investigate the cause of this unattended death. A number of forensic tests will be conducted in order to determine the identity of the deceased individual as well as the cause of their death.
“It’s important to recognize that the forensic testing needed in this case will not be an overnight process,” says Captain John Olson, Commander of the RCPD’s Criminal Investigations Division. “We will be utilizing several different forensic testing labs across the country, and the current COVID-19 situation can have an adverse effect on the ability of these labs to obtain test results in a timely matter.”
This is an active, ongoing investigation being conducted in partnership with the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office. The RCPD will issue updates on this case as appropriate.
