By Karin Eagle
Native Sun News Staff Writer RAPID CITY –– Several unattended and – according to many in the Native American community of Rapid City – uninvestigated and unresolved deaths in and around the Rapid Creek area have been an emotional topic over the past decade. Two recent deaths near Rapid Creek have been added to that list. Eldred Red Fox, 43, was found floating in a pond located in Roosevelt Park, which sits along the Rapid Creek area in Rapid City. A passer-by found Red Fox’s body at about 5:45 a.m. July 21 floating face down in the water. Emergency medical technicians pulled Red Fox’s body to the shore of the pond and pronounced him dead. According a statement released by the Rapid City Police Department, Red Fox’s physical condition indicated that he might have been in the water for several days. While the emergency personnel were finishing the recovery of Red Fox and preparing the leave the parking lot, another body was found near the parking lot in what appeared to be a suicide by hanging. The second man was identified as Matthew Standing Crow, 25. Initial autopsy results did indicate Standing Crow’s death to be a suicide by hanging. According the RCPD, no foul play is suspected, and the deaths do not appear to be related. However, these deaths are just part of the series of unsolved deaths in the Rapid City area that are cause for concern, according to many Native Americans in the community. (Contact Karin Eagle at staffwriter2@nsweekly.com) Copyright permission by Native Sun News www.nsweekly.com
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