STURGIS, S.D. – A second man has been connected to the apparent murder of Beverly Ozuna-Ulrich, the Belle Fourche woman who disappeared without a trace in October of 2003.
Steven Ulrich was arrested in late November and charged with First Degree Murder in Beverly’s death. Also arrested, according to the Belle Fourche Police Department, was Max Piekkola, who has been charged with Accessory to a Felony.
Police say the arrests follow years of interviews and following up on leads that had come into the department.
Court documents allege Ulrich murdered Ozuna-Ulrich on October 17, 2003, in Butte County. According to charging documents, Piekkola is accused of having rendered “assistance by concealing, destroying, or altering any physical evidence that might aid in the discovery, detection, apprehension, prosecution, conviction or punishment of the other person.”
If convicted as an accessory, Piekkola could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000.
Steven Ulrich could face the death penalty if convicted.
