RAPID CITY, S.D. – Police today provided an update on the suspicious death of the deceased person inside a local hotel on Tuesday, July 14.

Police report that an autopsy has been conducted in the ongoing investigation into the suspicious death reported at 1313 N. Lacrosse Street. In addition to the autopsy, local law enforcement is awaiting toxicology results and additional forensic testing in an effort to determine the man’s specific cause of death.

The deceased is identified as 33-year-old Jason Horned Eagle of Rapid City. Based on information garnered in the ongoing investigation, detectives believe Horned Eagle’s body had been left in the hotel room for several months. Detectives have identified three individuals who had knowledge of Horned Eagle’s death and made attempts to conceal his body in the hotel. Those three individuals have been placed under arrest for Improper Disposal of a Body. They are identified as:

·         51-year-old Barbara Diaz of Rapid City

·         29-year-old Diana Hairy Shirt of Rapid City

·         50-year-old Walter Cordon of Rapid City

The investigation into the circumstances behind Horned Eagle’s death remains open and active and is being conducted jointly with the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office. Anyone with any information relevant to the ongoing investigation should contact Detective James Halterman at 605-394-4134.

RAPID CITY, S.D. – Authorities in Rapid City have launched a joint investigation following the discovery of a deceased individual inside a local hotel room on Tuesday afternoon.

Officers with the Rapid City Police Department were dispatched to the Roadway Inn, located at 1313 N. Lacrosse Street, at approximately 12:00 p.m. on July 14 after receiving a report of a dead person on the property.

Upon arrival, responding officers located the deceased individual, who is believed to be an adult male.

Following an initial assessment and further investigation of the scene, law enforcement officials announced they are treating the man’s death as suspicious in nature.

An autopsy has been scheduled as part of the ongoing investigation. Officials said the medical examination is necessary to formally identify the deceased individual and to determine the exact cause of death.

The investigation into the incident is being conducted jointly by the Rapid City Police Department and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities stated that additional updates will be issued as appropriate as the investigation continues.