Authorities said Wednesday that a body found outside Williston, N.D., may be that of a missing Sidney, Mont., math teacher who disappeared Jan. 7 during a morning run. She is believed to have been killed by two Coloradans.
Sidney Assistant Police Chief Robert Burnison said the body, likely that of Sherry Arnold, is being sent to the state medical lab in Missoula for further identification.
Authorities said the body had been buried. The recovery effort started Tuesday in western North Dakota about 50 miles from Sidney, and the body was found early Wednesday. The location across the state line from where the kidnapping occurred means there could be federal charges against the two suspects in the case, Michael Keith Spell, 22, and Lester Van Waters Jr., 47, both of Parachute.
Sidney Mayor Brett Smelser said that if authorities confirm it is Arnold’s body, it would provide “the closure that we needed.”
“It’s been tough for the family and the community,” he said.
Spell and Waters pleaded not guilty last month to one count each of aggravated kidnapping during an arraignment in state district court in Sidney. They could face the death penalty under Montana law if convicted.
