Missing Northern Cheyenne man James Limberhand
Northern Cheyenne man still missing after three months
Did lack of law enforcement efforts hinder the search?
By Clara Caufield
Native Sun News Correspondent BUSBY, Mont. –– Douglas “Snazz” Limberhand, father of James D. Limberhand, age 33 of Busby, reports that his son has been missing since August 7, 2014. James was last seen at the Two Leggins River and Bridge near Crow Agency, Crow Reservation in the company of three Cheyenne companions. Search and rescue efforts conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Crow Agency; Big Horn County Sherriff’s Department; Big Horn County Search and Rescue; the Limberhand family and Northern Cheyenne volunteers have been inconclusive to date. On the date of his disappearance Limberhand was in the company of Sam Walker, Roddy Littlebear and Star Littlebear, all of Busby who were reportedly drinking and then swimming at the site. Walker told investigators that on that day, Limberhand entered the river and swam out to the middle. Walker reports calling him back because the current was deep and swift, but left before Limberhand reached the bank, walking to another part of that recreation area to join other members of the group. Shortly thereafter, the three came back to check on James, who was nowhere in sight. Douglas is puzzled about the story because “everybody knows James doesn’t know how to swim and wouldn’t usually go in the water.” The three Cheyennes say that they looked for James for about an hour without success. After that initial search, they then drove to Crow Agency, entering the Casino. Douglas wonders why they did not go to a nearby house to raise the alarm. Because they were intoxicated, Crow casino security called the B.I.A. Law Enforcement and the three were arrested and taken to the Crow jail. While incarcerated, the three Cheyenne tried to tell the jailers about the incident, but their concerns were not taken seriously. The next morning, the B.I.A. jailor, at the Crow jail did contact the Big Horn County Sherriff’s office about the possible drowning. The Big Horn Sherriff’s office then immediately mounted a search on August 8. That evening Douglas who was in North Dakota learned of the incident via a telephone call from his daughter. Returning soon thereafter, Douglas joined in the search efforts, already underway. Continuing sporadic official searches have been conducted without success. The family also went to the Two Leggins River on a daily basis for some time, searching with volunteers in canoes also without success. Since then, the Limberhand family has been piecing clues together in a frustrating puzzle. For example, Sam Walker accompanied Douglas Limberhand to the site, showing where James’ clothing, hat and other personal items were located. Afterwards, it came to light that James’ wallet and keys were found in different locations. According to Douglas, the Cheyenne companions of James Limberhand were questioned by B.I.A. officials about these discrepancies but no conclusive information was obtained. Douglas also learned of another clue. The day after James’ disappearance, Dolly Bellrock Rockroads who stays at the Walker residence in Busby was searching in the trunk of Sam Walker’s car and found boots belonged to James stashed in the trunk, still soaked. The boots were subsequently returned to the Limberhand residence in Busby. "I don’t know what the deal is on that,” Douglas also noted. “Though I reported this to the B.I.A. they did not follow up on it either.” Finally, about three weeks ago, BIA Special Agent Sharon Brown called off the search. “She was supposed to set up another session with the search and rescue dogs and then drag the river, but then told us she couldn’t arrange that,” the father reports. “The last I heard, they stopped everything. Also, the Crow B.I.A. refused the assistance of the Northern Cheyenne B.I.A. law enforcement on the grounds of conflicting jurisdiction. I thought they would work together,” he said as he shook his head. In the meantime, the Limberhand family wonders if there was foul play and questions the lack of lie-detector tests for the people involved. But, the FBI and BIA have declined, the elder Limberhand said. “I last spoke to F.B.I, Agent Steve Lowe, Billings on October 29th, and he said they won’t do it because they don’t suspect foul play," he said. Recently, Douglas spoke with Jason Smith, Director of Indian Affairs for the Governor Steve Bullock who also wondered why the search has been canceled. “If it was a white person, they would spare no expense or effort,” Smith reportedly told the father of the missing Cheyenne. “Our family hopes that they will keep searching until they find him,” Douglas said. “Officer Brown assured me that they would do this, but now everything has stopped.” The Limberhand family is still pressing for additional search efforts, including dragging the river. “We just want to find him and at least put him to rest to gain some closure. Not knowing it the hardest part,” he explained. “We are still trying to deal with the death of my daughter Roberta Limberhand, age 25 who was struck and killed by a hit-and-run semi on Highway 212 about a year ago. That too, is still an open case. It just makes a person wonder why the disappearance or death of an Indian person in our area is not taken more seriously by our law enforcement agencies, including the F.B.I.” When reached by telephone Special Agent Sharon Brown said that she could not comment and this reported referred to Bill LaCompte, Billings Area Office who was not available by phone. Neither was a requested return call received. Anyone with information about either case can contact the Limberhand family at (406) 477-8217, Nancy Yellowrobe, grandmother. (Clara Caufield can be reached at acheyennevoice@gmail.com) Copyright permission Native Sun News
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