Found Deceased SD - McKenna Wendel, 14, Endangered, SFPD says she is their top priority, last known to be with a relative in Sioux Falls, 14 March 2026

[Unalienable Rights]

We are asking for the public’s help in finding McKenna Wendel. McKenna is a 14 year old Native American female, 5’2”, 98 lbs and has dark brown hair with a teal streak on one side and has brown eyes. She has been missing since 3/13/26. Call 605-367-7000 if you have any info.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2033735596678459572

https://www.keloland.com/news/local-news/police-still-searching-for-missing-14-year-old-girl/

Police are still looking for missing 14-year-old McKenna Wendel.

In a statement to KELOLAND News, SFPD said locating McKenna is their top priority, and they’re devoting “significant resources towards finding her.”

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https://www.argusleader.com/story/news/crime/2026/03/18/missing-sioux-falls-teen-now-considered-endangered-police-say/89219729007/

Authorities say McKenna Wendel, who has been missing since Friday, March 13, from her Sioux Falls home, is considered endangered.

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was last known to be in Sioux Falls with a family member, according to Lt. Aaron Nyberg, who works in the Sioux Falls Police Department’s Crimes Against Persons unit, on March 16.

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She was last seen March 14, and reported missing March 15

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Asked how much police believe she may be in danger and whether there is any suspicion of a criminal act, Butler could not say.

“It wouldn’t be right to provide too much detail,” Butler stated. “I’d certainly hate to disclose any information that may interfere with the investigation or potential leads we are working on. I will say that we are exploring all possibilities and refusing to rule anything out at this point.”

*****

 

[CHEL]

UPDATE: Missing 14-year-old girl found deceased

The Sioux Falls Police Department has reported that 14-year-old McKenna Wendel has been found deceased.

www.dakotanewsnow.com

 

[tlcya]

The Sioux Falls Police Department reported on Thursday, March 19, that a 14-year-old juvenile who was last seen on March 14 has been found dead.
https://www.argusleader.com/story/n...ing-juvenile-has-been-found-dead/89230113007/

No additional information will be shared regarding the case this week, but police will provide an update at Monday’s police briefing.
UPDATE: Missing 14-year-old girl found deceased

I'm going to guess it is no coincidence if the uncle is in custody

 

[Unalienable Rights]

https://www.keloland.com/news/local-news/sfpd-missing-14-year-old-girl-found-dead/

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KELOLAND News asked Attorney General Marty Jackley about the case.

“I had an opportunity to meet with McKenna’s family. I’ve been to the recovery scene. What I can say is law enforcement is doing an excellent job. The Sioux Falls Police Department and other agencies involved have been working hard since she was reported missing last Friday,” Jackley said. “There’ll be more information to come.”

When asked about foul play, Jackley said “we need to let that investigation happen.”

“We just need to give them the time to give us some answers,” Jackley said.

*****

 

[imstilla.grandma]

McKenna Wendel.

A suspect is now in custody.

While authorities have not officially confirmed the identity, it is widely believed to be Mark Milk — McKenna’s uncle.

Public records show Milk was originally sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in 1994 for the killing of Shawn Peneaux in Tripp County, South Dakota.

Court documents state that Peneaux was stabbed multiple times, brutally beaten, and ultimately bled to death from his injuries (hemothorax caused by the stab wounds). His body was found the following morning at approximately 6:00 a.m.

The injuries described went far beyond a typical altercation — including wounds noted as cuts running “from ear to ear.”

Despite that, his sentence was commuted on February 2, 2023, reducing life without parole to 240 years — making him eligible for release.

That commutation was granted by Governor Kristi Noem.

He was later released.

He is currently in custody on separate charges. At this time, no official charges have been announced in connection with McKenna Wendel’s death as authorities continue their investigation.

Authorities have also stated there is no ongoing threat to the public — which suggests the individual believed to be responsible is already in custody.

Now he is back in custody — in connection with the death of his own niece.

Let that sit.

This is bigger than one case.

This is about decisions, systems, and the real-life consequences that follow them.

It’s about a 14-year-old girl who should still be here.

And it’s about a community that deserves answers — not silence.

We will continue reporting as verified information becomes available.

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[tlcya]

McKenna's Obituary
Our precious McKenna Rose was called home to heaven on March 14, 2026.

Funeral services will take place on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at The Church of the Good Shepherd. Family will gather for a wake service and visitation at Heritage Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. A short prayer service to begin at 3:30 p.m. followed by visitation from 4:00-6:00 p.m.

McKenna Rose Wendel was born on January 30, 2012, to Marisa Wendel in Sioux Falls, where she was raised by her grandparents, Ralph and Rose Wendel.

From a young age, it was apparent McKenna had a vibrant personality and a zest for life. She loved being outdoors — climbing trees, playing in the park, and riding her bike. She could often be found digging in the dirt looking for critters or catching tadpoles to bring home as pets.

McKenna loved animals. She spent a great deal of time trying to convince her grandma that they should adopt lizards, frogs, and any other little creature that caught her eye. They finally settled on two hermit crabs and a sheepadoodle named Iris. When her hermit crabs passed away, she held a funeral for them and had her Papa make a cross for their burial.

McKenna and her grandparents often attended Pow-wows together. She loved the singing and the beautiful sounds of the drums.

McKenna's grandparents' home was filled with family, laughter, and love — a home base for all the kids and grandkids. McKenna was a devoted big sister, and her siblings cherished every moment spent with her.

Entering junior high, McKenna played volleyball and basketball. She made friends easily, her closest friend being Aaliyah. McKenna and Aaliyah loved their sleepovers, spending time making dance videos, listening to music, and watching the sunset. McKenna's friends adored her quick wit, her encouraging words, and her ability to light up even the quietest of rooms.

McKenna's sweet, gentle nature and her fun sense of humor will be cherished and greatly missed. She was the center around which her grandparents' lives revolved. She touched the hearts and lives of all who knew her.

McKenna is survived by her grandparents, Ralph and Rose Wendel; her mother, Marisa Wendel; her siblings, Kinsley and Roman; her cousin, Warner Wendel; her uncle, Drake, and his two children, Alayona and Kenai.

She is preceded in death by her beloved uncle, Reid Wendel.

SFPD briefing from this morning.
https://www.keloland.com/keloland-com-original/sfpd-to-give-update-on-mckenna-wendel-case/

Mark Milk is in custody on a parole hold. He was taken into custody in Souix Falls. He was formerly serving a life sentence for a brutal murder but his sentence for that crime was commuted in 2023.

LEO: for those in the public, if you have time to speculate in a Facebook group you have time to do something constructive for your community.

ETA: I guess that would explain why Milk is not listed in McKenna's obituary while another uncle was.

 

[Gemmie]

LEO: for those in the public, if you have time to speculate in a Facebook group you have time to do something constructive for your community.

SOURCE

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Police found McKenna's body more than 50 miles from home on March 19, five days after she went missing during what was a weekend blizzard but had remained silent until today about where she was found and the circumstances surrounding her final moments and whether the death is considered a homicide.

https://www.argusleader.com/story/news/crime/2026/03/23/mckenna-wendel-death-investigaton-update/89281761007/

 

[Rikissa]

SFPD briefing from this morning.
https://www.keloland.com/keloland-com-original/sfpd-to-give-update-on-mckenna-wendel-case/

Mark Milk is in custody on a parole hold. He was taken into custody in Souix Falls. He was formerly serving a life sentence for a brutal murder but his sentence for that crime was commuted in 2023.

LEO: for those in the public, if you have time to speculate in a Facebook group you have time to do something constructive for your community.

ETA: I guess that would explain why Milk is not listed in McKenna's obituary while another uncle was.

Article from 23 March 2026:

Milk, who currently sits in the Minnehaha County Jail and has been on parole since his commutation, was arrested March 17 for allegations of driving while intoxicated and eluding law enforcement, charges that agency leaders and investigators say are unrelated to the case. Court records show he crashed into another vehicle during the incident

https://eu.argusleader.com/story/news/crime/2026/03/23/mckenna-wendel-death-investigaton-update/89281761007/

 

[tlcya]

Article from 23 March 2026:

https://eu.argusleader.com/story/news/crime/2026/03/23/mckenna-wendel-death-investigaton-update/89281761007/

Current charges may be completely unrelated, but then it begs the question, why was another living uncle listed and one who predeceased the victim, while this one was notably absent from her obituary?

ETA MOO there will be more charges to follow.

 

[Witch Doctor]

2018 photos of Milk and McKenna at a "Family Powwow" prison outreach program stressing the importance of family to inmates.

https://www.argusleader.com/picture-gallery/news/2018/12/20/photos-family-wacipi-powwow-south-dakota-state-penitentiary/2293692002/

 

[tlcya]

The ceremonial ribbon skirts, worn by mourners at the funeral of 14-year-old McKenna Rose Wendel, were a shiny pink and purple, McKenna’s favorite colors.

A traditional Lakota star quilt that draped her casket before she was buried on March 26, 2026, in Sioux Falls, had soft shades of red and purple stripes, the same color her nails were painted when she died.
https://www.argusleader.com/story/n...v116801d--68--b--68--&gca-ft=227&gca-ds=sophi

autopsy complete but results could take a while to release per this article

It could take weeks for those results to arrive, police said in an email related to Friday’s Sioux Falls Police briefing. The Friday briefing had no additional information.
https://www.keloland.com/news/local-news/wendel-autopsy-completed-police-wait-for-results/

Police said in Monday’s news conference that they are waiting for the results of an autopsy and toxicology report as part of the investigation. The investigation so far indicates that Wendel did not die in Brookings County, the Brookings County States Attorney Dan Nelson told KELOLAND News on Tuesday, March 24.
https://www.keloland.com/keloland-com-original/wendel-case-timeline-includes-3-states/

 

[Unalienable Rights]

https://www.keloland.com/news/local-news/authorities-give-update-on-missing-sf-teen-found-dead/

April 17, 2026

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“We’ve been waiting for certain forensic evidence. Some of that forensic evidence just came in this week. And we need to do further evaluation and follow up with additional witnesses,” said Attorney General Marty Jackley.

Authorities won’t say what that forensic evidence is, they also aren’t releasing autopsy results.

“At this point, we don’t have any additional information to release. The investigation is still ongoing but I’m not at liberty to provide any updates at this point,” Sgt. Aaron Benson with the Sioux Falls Police Department.

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Jackley says state, local and federal investigators are working together on the case and charges could come quote, “in the near future.”

 

[Ladyotm]

We don't have to guess what his motive was here!

His family seemed extremely close AND supportive while he was locked up. I can't imagine what they're going through with Kenna's death and the ultimate family betrayal.

All MOO