Family, friends, and communities across Moody County and the state are holding their breath and offering prayers for Jamie White, a young woman who went missing over the 4th of July holiday weekend.
At approximately 3:30 a.m. on July 5, a report came in that White had either jumped or fallen into the Big Sioux River near the Flandreau Dam. Local rescue teams from Flandreau, Colman, and Brookings’ Search and Rescue were on the scene within minutes. Despite their rapid response, crews were faced with swift-moving waters that made the search difficult and dangerous.
The search continued through much of Saturday, focusing on the river itself and the areas downstream, but as the day wore on, the decision was made to suspend efforts. Authorities expressed concerns for the safety of the first responders due to the high water levels and strong currents.
In a statement released later, the Moody County Sheriff’s Office, along with the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Flandreau Police Department, and other agencies, confirmed the pause in the search…