TAT LAW ENFORCEMENT & MHA EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER
PRESS RELEASE _____________________________________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE MEDIA RELEASE:
JUNE 7, 2022
[New Town, ND 5:00 pm] The identification of the deceased individual recovered from Lake Sakakawea on Saturday June 4, 2022 is confirmed as Charles Hines Bearstail, who was reported missing to Three Affiliated Tribes Law Enforcement on April 27, 2022. Mr. Bearstail’s immediate family has been notified.
On behalf of the Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Nation, and all the search personnel involved during this incident response, the Incident Commanders for the Charles Bearstail Search Operation would like to extend everyone’s sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Bearstail during this immensely difficult time.
We would like to state our appreciation to all the many committed volunteers from 26 Local, Tribal, County, State, Federal Agencies and Nonprofit Organizations from North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin who came together in support of Mr. Bearstail and his family. The personnel working hard to find Mr. Bearstail collectively put in thousands of man hours covering a 175 square mile search area by land, water, and air over 39 days until Mr. Bearstail was recovered this past weekend. We also would like to acknowledge the support of local community members who assisted the search operation with providing meals, fuel, lodging, and helping to distribute the Missing Person’s Advisory Flyer for Mr. Bearstail on a regular basis.
Mr. Bearstail’s cause and manner of death is pending investigation. No further information is being released at this time.
MEDIA INQUIRIES CONTACT:
MHA EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER
EMILY SITTING BEAR, IC/PIO
(701) 421-2954 OR (701) 627-7300
PREPARED BY: MHA EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER
See pdf press release here.