Hunt for missing woman continues
SUNDANCE — A multi-agency search had yet to locate a missing person as of presstime for the Sundance Times.
Linda Thacker went missing from St. Onge, South Dakota last week.
On August 19, a family member requested a welfare check for the 65-year-old woman, who had been out of contact with family since the day before.
The Crook County Sheriff’s Office and Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office began a cooperative effort to find Thacker, which quickly resulted in the location of her vehicle near Boundary Gulch, a remote area near the South Dakota/Wyoming border.
Articles belonging to Thacker have since been recovered around 0.7 miles from her vehicle.
On the evening of August 19, a coordinated search and investigation into Thacker’s whereabouts began, involving the Crook County Sheriff’s Office; Crook County Search and Rescue and Crook County Emergency Management; as well as Search and Rescue from Spearfish, Weston County, Sheridan County and Lawrence County; canine units from across Wyoming; the South Dakota Air National Guard; Lawrence County Emergency Management; and the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office.
Resources deployed in the search include Lakota and Blackhawk helicopters; six specialized scent, cadaver and man-tracking K-9 teams; and drones equipped with thermal imaging and certified human trackers.
An average of 35 searchers have participated each day in the coordinated effort. The search area began with a 0.2- mile radius, expanding to between 0.7 and two miles after the first two days and then to high-interest locations beyond this radius using K-9 cadaver units and human man trackers on August 26.
“The search included specialized teams and resources from Wyoming, South Dakota, Colorado, Nebraska, and Montana, including law enforcement, search and rescue teams, aerial units, K-9 handlers, EMS, Fire, Emergency Management and volunteers,” said Sheriff Jeff Hodge. “The dedication, coordination and professionalism displayed by everyone involved has been exceptional.”
In an update on Monday morning, the Crook County Sheriff’s Office reported that Thacker had not yet been found, and circumstances surrounding the case suggest she may not wish to be located, although this has not been confirmed.
In addition, the area is extremely rugged, with difficult terrain and thick vegetation, which hinders both aerial and ground operations.
A joint investigation between the Crook County and Lawrence County sheriff’s offices is ongoing, involving actively following up on information from cell records and interviews with family.
According to the Crook County Sheriff’s Office, the search remains active on a day-to-day basis.
If no new evidence is recovered, it may be suspended.
“At this stage in the search for Linda Thacker, we must carefully weigh the feasibility, cost, and availability of resources to determine the most responsible course of action. These decisions are incredibly difficult, especially when a family is still waiting for answers,” said Hodge. “On behalf of the Crook County Sheriff’s Office, I want to extend my deepest sympathy to Linda’s family and loved ones during this painful and uncertain time. Please know that even if active search efforts are paused, our dedication to the investigation continues. We remain committed to pursuing all leads in the hope of providing clarity and closure for those affected.”
Anyone who has information on the whereabouts of Thacker is asked to contact the Crook County Sheriff’s Office at 307-283-1225 or Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office at 605- 578-2230.
This story was published on August 28, 2025.