The Murder Of Denise Lynn Russell

Denise Lynn Russell, an 18-year-old enrolled member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe. She was an 18-year-old Native American belonging to the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, 5'7", 130 pounds, with brown, shoulder-length hair and green eyes. Her and several friends attended a party at a residence west of Busby, Montana, on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation on May 2nd, 1997. After Russell reportedly became upset, she left the party and began walking east on U.S. Highway 212, near Busby, Montana. She was last seen between the hours of 4:00 pm and 5:30 pm.

The remains of Denise Lynn Russell, were found in rural Powder River County, Montana on September 29, 1997. This area is approximately fifty miles from where Russell was last seen. U.S. Highway 212 is a two lane road that connects Billings, Montana, with the Black Hills, South Dakota area. The highway also passes through the Crow Indian Reservation and the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. The area around Busby is heavily traveled by semi-trucks. Denise Lynn Russell was last seen wearing oversized blue jeans, a light colored t-shirt, and hiking boots.