Murder of 29-year-old woman unsolved three years after body found in South Dakota river

Duane Folkers, Alicia Hummel and Jan Folkers Bethany Svacina

On her way out of the house, Alicia asked her grandfather Duane if, once she returned from her fishing trip, he would help her clean any fish that she caught. He said he would, and Alicia drove off. That was the last time Jan and Duane saw their granddaughter.

Clay County Sheriff Andy Howe told Dateline police believe Alicia was indeed fishing alone that day. He added that around 2:20 that afternoon, a state park employee at Myron Grove, who was cleaning the area, found a body at the edge of the Missouri River near a dock. It was Alicia. She was only 29 years old. Sheriff Howe told Dateline the employee immediately reported the discovery to police.

Alicia had suffered neck wounds and blunt force trauma to the head. Sheriff Howe said an autopsy concluded the actual cause of death was drowning. Alicia’s death has been ruled a homicide by the Clay County Sheriff’s Department, Sheriff Howe told Dateline.

Friends and family were devastated by Alicia’s death.

“It was a complete shock that someone would do something like that to someone like her,” Alicia’s friend Jody said.

Sheriff Howe said a dark vehicle was spotted in the area around the time they believe Alicia was fishing. Authorities tried to locate the driver of that car, but were never able to track the person down.

Sheriff Howe says they have received “hundreds and hundreds” of tips, but do not have any suspects or persons of interest in Alicia’s murder.

Alicia’s friends and family continue to search for answers in her murder. Jody and Bethany run the Facebook page

Fighting For Justice For Alicia Hummel together.

Bethany Svacina and Alicia Hummel Bethany Svacina

“You have to fight for her because she can’t tell her story,” Bethany said about why she won’t give up looking for Alicia’s killer.

Jan and Duane are offering $5,000 for any information leading to a conviction in their granddaughter’s case. Every year they visit the dock where Alicia’s body was found and put up a cross. They are still holding out hope for some type of closure. “I don’t know in this case if they will ever find anybody [involved],” Jan said. “We can’t get her back, so finding answers is all we have left.”

If you have any information about Alicia’s case, please contact the Clay County Sheriff’s Office at (605) 677-7100.