These 5 Famous Homicides In South Dakota Will Never Be Forgotten

South Dakota is known for beautiful scenery and, typically, for being a very safe place to live. While our state is considered much safer than most of the nation, we have had our fair share of homicides. Do you remember any or all of these famous murders in South Dakota? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.

1. Robert LeRoy Anderson

In the summer of 1996, Robert LeRoy Anderson appeared at the door of the Streyle family, pretending to be interested in sending his kids to the bible camp the family ran. A few days later, Piper Streyle was abducted from her home. Though her body was never found, Anderson was convicted of the rape and murder of Streyle. He was also found guilty of the murder of Larisa Dumansky. After being sentenced to the death penalty, Anderson committed suicide in prison in 2003.

2. Josh Gilchrist

At the age of 16, Josh Gilchrist used a sword to murder his mother, Betty, in Huron, South Dakota. He then attempted to go after his sister and a foreign exchange student. When police officers arrived, Josh swung at an officer and cut him multiple times before police ended the scene by shooting him.

3. Elijah Page

Elijah Page, assisted by two accomplices, was charged with the murder of Chester Poage. The three men abducted and tortured Poage for three hours before murdering him. Although Elijah eventually admitted his guilt and pleaded guilty, he was nevertheless sentenced to death.

4. William Raymond Nesbit

William Nesbit, a well-known jewel thief, murdered his partner, Harold Baker, back in 1936 in a gun powder explosion. He was sentenced to life in prison (later commuted to 20 years) and became a trusted inmate. He was allowed to leave prison grounds to drive the warden around and perform errands. One day, he simply didn't return from an errand. After being added to the FBI's very first Ten Most Wanted List, Nesbit was arrested and promptly returned to prison.

5. Eric Robert

This case is especially memorable because the homicide did not take place until after Eric Robert was already in prison. In 2005, Robert posed as a police officer, pulled a young woman over and bound her in his trunk. The woman got away unharmed but Robert was sentenced to 80 years in prison. It was in his escape attempt that he killed 62 year old Ronald Johnson, a corrections officer. Robert committed the murder using a lead pipe; he was sentenced to death for his crimes.

These shocking homicides are ones we can never forget. What other homicides in South Dakota will you remember forever? Why? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!