RAPID CITY, S.D. – An investigation into the death of Vernon Selig has resulted in the arrest of his son, Nicholas Selig, on a charge of first-degree murder.
Nicholas Selig, 30, is being held at the Pennington County Jail.
The homicide investigation began on August 26, after law enforcement discovered a body in the area of Victoria Lake Road and First Thunder Road. The victim was identified as 57-year-old Vernon Selig, who died from a gunshot wound to the head. Nicholas Selig was named a person of interest.
At a joint press conference on August 27, the Rapid City Police and Pennington County Sheriff’s Office provided an update on the search for Nicholas Selig. They stated that Nicholas’s green Kia Soul vehicle was recovered in the rural, wooded area of Clarkson Road. The last known location of Nicholas Selig was believed to be this area.
On August 28, Nicholas Selig was located shortly before 11 a.m. in the 1200 block of Jackson Boulevard by a passerby. Rapid City police officers responded and confirmed the individual was Selig. He was then transported to speak with investigators.
Captain Taylor Sperle of the Pennington County Sheriff’s Investigations said the media helped spread the message that led to the citizen spotting Nicholas Selig and reporting it to law enforcement.
“We received overwhelming support from the community as all the agencies worked tirelessly through this investigation,” Sperle said. “This includes the media helping spread the message to the citizen who spotted Nicholas walking on the sidewalk and reported it to Law Enforcement. We also extend our condolences to the Selig family.”
The investigation was a collaboration of local and state law enforcement agencies in the Black Hills, including the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, Pennington County Search and Rescue, Custer County Search and Rescue, U.S. Forest Service, and the Pennington County State’s Attorney Office.
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