Posted in South Dakota
February 02, 2016
5 Disturbing Unsolved Mysteries In South Dakota That Will Leave You Baffled
Most of the time, we talk about the beauty of and wonderful places South Dakota has to offer. But there are some things you don’t hear about as often, including the unsolved mysteries of South Dakota.
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
Tina Marcotte was last seen on June 24, 1994. After calling her friend, stating she had a flat tire and needed a ride, she told her friend that a coworker was going to help her out. That coworker was Tom Keuter. Yet, after ending the call with her friend, Tina was never heard from again. Tina's friend confronted Tom and he denied having spoken with her. He claimed having car trouble himself that night. Tom's wife was unable to corroborate his story as he did not arrive home until 3:30AM. Soon after Tina's disappearance, Tom was questioned by the police. The day after this questioning, Tom was found dead. Tom had been run over by his own forklift at work. Police and family remain unsure if Tom created the situation to commit suicide or if it was an accident. Tina's case remains open to this day.
Starting in May 1998 and continuing over the course of the coming years, there was a string of bodies that began showing up in and around a creek in Rapid City. Most of the bodies found were Native Americans and homeless men. According to news sources, many believe the murders were not properly investigated to begin with. Protests regarding these cases have been held as recently as 2014. These mysteries remain unsolved.
The deaths of Arnold Archambeau and Ruby Bruguier are especially perplexing. They were involved in a car crash with Ruby's cousin, Tina, on December 12, 1992. While Tina was found in the crashed car and saved by law enforcement that night, it appears that Ruby escaped from the car, closing the door behind her. Both Arnold and Ruby were nowhere to be found after the accident. Months went by with no sign of them. In March 1993, the bodies of Arnold and Ruby were found. Most concerning, perhaps, was that the bodies were found in the same ditch where their car had crashed three months prior. Even more peculiar, each of the bodies was at a different level of decomposition. It was impossible to determine when they died. Friends of Arnold claim to have seen him in the months between the accident and the discovery of his body. What really happened to Ruby and Arnold? We may never know.
Bordering on urban legend, this unsolved mystery involves the ghost of the hotel's namesake, Mr. Seth Bullock. Bullock was the sheriff of Deadwood, SD in 1887 and in 1895 he opened Hotel Bullock. After dying in 1919, it is said that he haunts the place. Many guests and employees of the hotel claim to have heard or felt Mr. Bullock. It is also said that a psychic from England has received communications from Mr. Bullock regarding gambling in the area and his distaste for it. This is one unsolved mystery you can come experience for yourself.
The death of Morgan Lewis, in November 2004, had enough mysterious qualities to make it the perfect case to write a book about. That is just where Brenda Donelan got her inspiration for her book entitled "Day of the Dead." Lewis, a German professor at Northern State University in Aberdeen, was found with gunshot wounds, spreading panic throughout the college campus. Police concluded that Morgan Lewis died of a self-inflicted wound but many are not so easily convinced. Lewis' fatal wound was to the back of his neck and no gun was found near him. In fact the gun was found in a dumpster with no finger prints on it. Those who knew Lewis called him generous and caring. The police report on this case speculates Morgan may have committed suicide in an attempt to leave two life insurance policies to his loved ones. Many other speculate that the case was ruled a suicide to protect the reputation of the school. What do you think?
Thinking about these unsolved mysteries is enough to get your skin tingling. They date from hundreds of years ago to quite recent but each one of them is mysterious and thought-provoking. What are your theories on what happened in some of these cases?
