Missing / Located Persons > Northern Plains: MN, ND, and SD

Missing Woman: Catherine Tornquist--SD--10/04/2011

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LoriDavis:
http://rapidcityjournal.com/news/no-new-evidence-found-during-search-saturday-for-catherine-tornquist/article_2980234e-8257-11e1-884e-001a4bcf887a.html

No new evidence found during search Saturday for Catherine Tornquist
 
April 09, 2012 11:56 am  •  Curt Nettinga Hot Springs Star

HOT SPRINGS – Nearly 60 people volunteered to search areas of Fall River County last Saturday morning. The focus of their search was any evidence that would help law enforcement in the disappearance of Catherine Tornquist of rural Hot Springs.

“We are going to search in several areas,” Fall River County sheriff Rich Mraz told the volunteers, “including the Coldbrook area, Cottonwood, Battle Mountain, areas along Argyle Road and down Hot Brook Canyon.”

Searchers included friends and family of Tornquist, including her daughter Tina Post, as well as Division of Criminal Investigation officers from throughout western South Dakota, Fall River County deputies, Hot Springs firemen and other law enforcement and South Dakota Parks personnel.

“We’re looking for anything that relates to Catherine’s disappearance,” Mraz told the group in a pre-search briefing. “If you find something that looks out of the ordinary; something out of place, contact one of the law enforcement officers that will be with your group and they will handle it.”

In response to a question about anything specific to look for such as clothing, Mraz reiterated that they were looking for anything out of place.

At the conclusion of the search, although nothing new was discovered, Mraz said that positive steps were made.

"We didn't find new evidence," he said, "but we did cover a lot of ground that we now can put behind us. We know that there is nothing else there to find. We can look other places now."

Volunteers searched on foot, with 4-wheelers and a S.D. National Guard helicopter was also used in the search.

Post thanked everyone who assisted in the search for her mother as well.

"I want to just say a big thank you to everyone who came out today to help in the search," Post said. "Law enforcement, firemen; just everyone who helped. We didn't find anything new, but we do know where she's not."

LoriDavis:
http://rapidcityjournal.com/news/missing-woman-s-son-indicted/article_22140a10-cd0e-11e1-916b-0019bb2963f4.html

Missing woman’s son indicted
Matthew Tornquist charged with murder, theft in connection with disappearance of Catherine Tornquist

07/13/2012  •  Curt Nettinga Hot Springs Star

HOT SPRINGS – A Fall River County Grand Jury handed down a three-count indictment on July 12, including first-degree murder, against Matthew Charles Tornquist, 26, in connection with the disappearance of his mother, Catherine Tornquist, last October.

The grand jury heard testimony from 14 witnesses before returning the indictment. Matthew Tornquist was indicted on first-degree murder, with an alternative count of second-degree murder, as well as a single count of grand theft.

Matt Brown, the deputy states’ attorney for Custer County was appointed to handle the case as a Special Assistant Attorney General, by South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley, who also attended the grand jury proceedings.

Brown confirmed that Matthew Tornquist is the son of Catherine Tornquist. Matthew Tornquist has been in federal custody in Rapid City on non-related charges since earlier this spring.

“I don’t know if Mr. Tornquist has been served with this arrest warrant as of yet,” Brown said via phone interview Friday morning. “There were some questions, with his being in federal custody, over how the process will work from a procedure standpoint.”

No further court date has been set at this time.

The indictment charges that on or about Oct. 4, 2011, Matthew Tornquist committed first-degree murder, or premeditated murder, of Catherine Tornquist. Catherine Tornquist was reported missing the first week in October last year. Despite several concerted efforts, her presumed remains have not been found as of yet.

First-degree murder carries a mandatory life sentence, or possibly the death penalty, in addition to a $50,000 fine.

The alternative count of second-degree carries a mandatory life sentence and a $50,000 fine.

The grand theft charge stems from the disappearance of a large amount of cash that Catherine Tornquist was believed to have in her possession at the time of her disappearance. Earlier reports stated that she had intended to purchase a camper in Rapid City with the money, but failed to arrive and has never been seen since.

LoriDavis:
http://rapidcityjournal.com/news/residents-hold-vigil-to-remember-missing-woman/article_ff2ce995-8652-5ff0-a9ce-181007b67a89.html

Residents hold vigil to remember missing woman

Brett Nachtigall Hot Springs Star
October 5, 2012

HOT SPRINGS | On the one-year anniversary of her disappearance, several Hot Springs area residents gathered in Centennial Park on Thursday evening for a candlelight vigil to remember Catherine Tornquist.

Organizer Jacki Lockwood said the vigil was held to ensure the memory of Tornquist remained on the minds of local residents as the search for her body continues.

“We want to keep her on everyone’s mind and to not forget she is missing,” Lockwood said.

In July, Catherine Tornquist’s son, Matthew Tornquist, 26, pleaded not guilty to several charges in connection to his mother’s disappearance, including first-degree murder and an alternate count of second-degree murder, as well as grand theft. The grand theft charge stems from the disappearance of a large amount of cash that his mother was believed to have in her possession at the time of her disappearance.

Don Lytle, a friend of Catherine Tornquist who reported her missing on Oct. 7, 2011, said last fall that he last saw her the night before she had planned to pick up a new motor home in Rapid City.

Catherine Tornquist, 55, has not been seen since, although there have been more than 50 searches for her, according to the attorney general's office.

If convicted of premeditated murder, Matthew Tornquist could face the death penalty, although prosecutors have not yet indicated whether they would seek such a sentence.

He is being held awaiting trial at Fall River County Jail.

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