Authorities identify woman found near Missouri River

PIERRE, S.D. (KCCR) – Authorities investigating the discovery of a body found along the Missouri River in Pierre Monday have learned the name of the woman found just off the Lewis and Clark Trail just east of the Down’s Marina Peninsula, according to Pierre Police Captain Bryan Walz.

Walz says the fingerprints were obtained by officers at the autopsy being performed on Bear Stops.  He says the cause and manner of death may take time to learn.

Walz says now that investigators have a name they can try to narrow the focus on what may have happened.

Bear Stops was found approximately 250 yards east of the Down’s Marina Peninsula by a person walking their dog along the Lewis and Clark Trail. Walz says he’s not sure if the identification of the body as Bear Stops will lead to an increase in calls to the Pierre Police Department Crime Tips Line.

He says approximately 14 calls have been received so far, however some of the calls may have been made in relation to missing bodies being investigated in Sioux Falls and Montana. The Pierre Police Department Crime Tips Line number is 605-773-7420. Anyone who may have information about Bear Stop’s death is asked to call the Tip Line.