Body of Sioux Falls girl found near Brookings

By Mondell Keck | The Brookings Register 

BROOKINGS — The remains of a Sioux Falls teenager were found near Brookings on March 19, authorities confirmed during a Sioux Falls Police Department news conference on March 23. 

McKenna Wendel, 14, had been missing for nearly a week prior to the discovery that involved the efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies — including the Brookings County Sheriff’s Office, Brookings Police Department and the SFPD — along with the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation. 

“Ms. Wendel’s deceased body was recovered approximately 2 miles southwest of Brookings city limits. Local law enforcement and (the) fire department worked closely with our state and surrounding agencies to find and recover her body,” Brookings County State’s Attorney Dan Nelson told The Brookings Register on March 23. “The investigation is ongoing, and we’ll continue to provide assistance and support that investigation. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this horrible tragedy.”

FUNERAL DETAILS

• The funeral for McKenna Wendel will be 10 a.m. March 26 in Sioux Falls at The Church of the Good Shepherd, 2707 W. 33rd St. 

• Visitation will be 4 to 6 p.m. March 25 at Heritage Funeral Home in Sioux Falls, 4800 S. Minnesota Ave. 

SFPD Capt. Terrance Matia provided additional details regarding the search, noting that more than one person was involved. 

“There was a citizen involved, and there was also another individual involved that led us to that location, to look in that area,” he said, adding that it was someone with knowledge, but that no one is being referred to as a suspect or suspects at the moment. “I don’t know the manner of death yet … once we learn the manner of death, then I can refer to someone as suspects, or a suspect.” 

Timeline 

Matia said it was reported March 15 at about 9:13 a.m. that Wendel hadn’t been seen since the night of March 13, which was also when she was reported missing by her grandparents. 

He added that the active investigation began on March 15. Several people were investigated, including family members and non-family members. 

“We also looked at certain evidential things — investigative tools — that led us to believe that there were some suspicious circumstances to her not being located,” Matia said. 

He said a lot of questions have been received about family members related to Wendel and any potential involvement there. 

“We don’t have that information right now of what it would be,” Matia said. “Specifically, Mark Milk was mentioned. He is a family member of McKenna’s; I can say that. He’s arrested for other charges that are not related to this case.” 

A check of the Minnehaha County Detention Center records on March 23 showed Milk was taken into custody on March 17 on a state felony charge of aggravated eluding of a law enforcement officer. There’s no bond, and there’s a parole hold as well. 

Matia went on to say that the investigation involves sites in Iowa, Minnesota, Brookings County, Sioux Falls, and other locations in South Dakota. 

He said the SFPD is working with the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office, the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in locating where the venue would be if criminal charges were to come. 

“If anybody has information, please contact us and we will discuss things appropriately, when necessary,” he said. 

Matia also brought to attention that there’s been some public harassment of Wendel’s family. “Please don’t make it about yourself and … please don’t harass them.” 

Autopsy underway 

When asked about where Wendel’s death occurred, if it was in Sioux Falls or near Brookings, he said the information is still being gathered. 

“We’re still doing the autopsy (March 23). I can’t say what the manner or cause of death is,” Matia said. “I didn’t say she was killed. I said she was found dead.” 

He noted that it’s expected an update will be provided later this week following the autopsy. The toxicology report could be a week to two weeks out. He said that once all that information is available, then more case details will be released. 

“We don’t want to do anything that’s going to ruin prosecution of a case if there was criminal charges,” Matia said. “All the information we give you is the most that we can, because the whole point of the investigation is for McKenna, and to make sure if there was a prosecution, it’s successfully prosecuted.” 

More questions 

Matia took additional questions from reporters, including one about cooperation from Wendel’s family: “We’ve had no issues or concerns. If it wasn’t for the family, we probably wouldn’t have gotten to where we are today so quickly.” 

Replying to another inquiry regarding Milk, Matia said there’s no suspect of any crime yet, while reiterating that the autopsy isn’t complete, and he doesn’t know what the manner of Wendel’s death is. Basically, the only reason Milk was brought up at the news conference is because of online speculation. 

“We’ve taken numerous questions about that while we’re still investigating things, and I don’t have an answer for it,” Matia said. “If I had an answer who was involved, if there was involvement in the manner of her death, I would provide that.” 

Lastly, when asked why he confirmed last week that there was no danger to the public, Matia said, “Because of the circumstances that led us in the investigation to where we were at — that there’s no one out there assaulting someone or doing anything else. We think all the people that were involved or know her whereabouts we have either in custody on unrelated charges or we know who they are.” 

Proper attention assured 

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley spoke at the news conference as well, saying that Wendel’s case has every law enforcement officer’s attention. 

“In the wake of this tragic loss of 14-year-old McKenna, I want to give the public the same assurance that I’ve given the family, and that is law enforcement is giving this the attention it deserves,” Jackley said. “This is a 14-year-old little girl. From the very onset, Chief (Jon) Thum and the Sioux Falls Police Department gave this the attention it deserved. This has been a cooperative effort. I can say that because I was at the scene when she was recovered up in Brookings County.” 

Jackley noted that he’s been in constant contact with Nelson as well, along with Minnehaha County State’s Attorney Daniel Haggar. 

“You can be assured that law enforcement is going to continue to give this the attention that it deserves to bring justice for what happened to McKenna,” he concluded. 

Thum added his thoughts as well, speaking to law enforcement’s drive to get to the bottom of the case. 

“The reason you see all the law enforcement in the room today is because we take very seriously our pursuit of justice,” he said. “And the fact that I can tell you very few cases throughout the course of my career, as I walked around the building last week, had the razor focus and dedication of our entire team — our partnership across the region — we were all there for one central purpose was to find answers, find truth, and make sure that we brought her home.” 

Thum added, “This is a tragedy, and this is one that will stick with us for the entirety of our careers.” 

Social media’s impact 

Thum, responding to a question about the role of social media in today’s world, indicated that being patient is important — and that time spent on Facebook and other apps speculating could be better spent elsewhere. 

“I know people have a desire for immediate knowledge in this day and age — every crime is solved within an hour,” he said, snapping his fingers. “The reality is that good police investigation and good investigation and case building takes days, hours, weeks, sometimes months. While we desire immediate information, patience is a virtue we can all practice in a lot of areas of our lives, and this is just one of them.” 

He concluded, “If we have time to post on social media, then we have time to mentor some kids, too. Or maybe we got time to get involved in some of the nonprofits and some of the other things there. It’s going to make a far bigger impact than your theory that maybe you want to throw out and spend hours speculating on a Facebook chat.” 

— Contact Mondell Keck at [email protected].