A shocking case of military misconduct has rocked South Dakota as an Ellsworth Air Force Base airman faces second-degree murder charges. The 24-year-old serviceman is accused of killing a young woman whose decomposed remains were discovered months after her disappearance.
At a glance:
• Quinterius Chappelle, 24, an Air Force airman, has been charged with the murder of 21-year-old Sahela Sangrait
• Sangrait’s decomposed body was found by a hiker near Hill City on March 4, after she went missing in August 2024
• The young woman was last seen in Eagle Butte before planning to travel to Box Elder and then California
• Chappelle, who joined the Air Force in 2019, was an aircraft inspection journeyman with the 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
• Multiple agencies are involved in the investigation, including local police, FBI, and Air Force Office of Special Investigations
Military Member Facing Justice
Federal authorities have arrested Quinterius Chappelle, a 24-year-old airman stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base, charging him with second-degree murder in the death of Sahela Sangrait. The 21-year-old victim had been missing since August 2024, with her remains discovered approximately 50 miles from the base where Chappelle served.
Chappelle, who joined the Air Force in 2019 and worked as an aircraft inspection journeyman with the 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, is currently being held without bond at Pennington County Jail. The Department of Justice will handle the prosecution of this case, which has drawn attention to potential criminal activity within military ranks.
Investigators have so far determined that Sangrait was last known to be in Eagle Butte before planning to travel to Box Elder and eventually California when she disappeared last summer. A hiker made the grim discovery of her decomposed remains near Hill City on March 4, triggering an intensive investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies.
The relationship between Chappelle and Sangrait remains unclear, as do the specific circumstances surrounding her death. Authorities have not yet disclosed the motive or exact manner in which Sangrait was killed, leaving many questions unanswered as the investigation continues.
“This investigation has been an excellent collaboration of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in our area,” the sheriff’s office stated.
The case has brought together the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Bureau of Indian Affairs, FBI, and U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations.
Military Accountability
Ellsworth Air Force Base commander Col. Derek Oakley issued a stern statement regarding the situation involving one of their airmen.
“We hold airmen accountable for their actions, and if service members are found in violation of military or civilian law, they will be punished,” Oakley declared.
The Air Force has cooperated fully with civilian authorities in the investigation. Authorities are still seeking additional information from the public regarding Sangrait’s killing, with officials requesting that tips be directed to the Rapid City FBI office at (605) 343-9632.
