South Dakota authorities say the remains of a man sought as a witness in the shooting deaths of two people at a Rapid City park have been found in a forested area near Sheridan Lake – and they’re treating the case as a homicide.
22-year-old Dakota Zaiser had last been seen a few days after the August 24th shooting despite the best efforts of law enforcement to find and talk to him about the accused shooter, 36-year old Arnson Absolu.
Rapid City police spokesman Brendyn Medina says “Information developed in the ongoing investigation into Zaiser’s disappearance” led law enforcement to search the area where the body was found Monday. Medina also says the remains were “in a manner consistent with an attempt to conceal his body.”
Absolu was arrested on Rapid City murder charges earlier this month in New York City, and authorities say he’s now the primary suspect in Zaiser’s death – although further forensic testing is needed to determine the manner and cause of death.
Rapid City police are asking anyone with information on either the August 24th murders or Zaiser’s death to contact investigators.