PENNINGTON COUNTY, South Dakota — A 24-year-old active-duty Airman has been arrested in connection with the murder of 21-year-old Sahela Sangrait, whose remains were discovered earlier this month near the Pennington County and Custer County line.
Quinterius Chappelle, stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base, was arrested on federal charges of second-degree murder and is being held at the Pennington County Jail. Authorities determined that Sangrait was murdered on the base, prompting the case to be prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office.
The investigation, which began on March 4, 2025, when a hiker discovered badly decomposed human remains south of Hill City, has involved a collaborative effort among multiple law enforcement agencies. These include 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 (FBI), and the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations.
Sangrait, a Box Elder woman who had been reported missing since August 10, 2024, was identified through forensic analysis. The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office confirmed her identity on March 12 and notified her next of kin.
Authorities are urging anyone with information related to Sangrait’s murder to contact the Rapid City FBI office at (605) 343-9632 or Investigator Jorge Salas at (605) 394-6115.
The case remains under investigation, and updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
— Pennington County Sheriff’s Office
