◆ SpookStack

Hr. Louis W. Schneider appearing as a distasteful means of identification, it 1s at tines the only way relatives would aver learn of tha whereabouts of a family member. The body was interred at the direction of BIA on siarch 2. 1976. On Harch 3, lo76, FEI Lieadguarters telephonically notified the Rapid City, South Dakota. Fsr Office tiat finyerprints obtained from the hands of the victin were iaentified as those of Anna Mae Aquash, a Federal fugitive wanted for violation of the Iational Firearns Act and Lond Default. A comnunication was imuediately sant to the Fbi's liaison representativa in Ottawa, Canada, to alert Canadian authorities to attempt to notify the next of kin. At the samo time, PBI Agants requestad, through the United States Attorney. Rapid city. a court order for exhunation of the body. On March 9, 1976, an order for exhumation was issued. On tne following day, Mr. Bruce Ellison, Wounded Knee Legal Defense/offense Committee, contacted the Rapid City FBI Office. Acting as a representative of Ms. Aquash's family, Mr. Ellison requested that an independent autopsy be conducted by Dr. Garry Peterson, Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Fbl representative readily agreed to this, and, in fact, delayaa the exhuation proceedings for one day until Dr. Peterson could arrive fron Minneapolis. The body was exhumed on.March 1l, I976, and Dr. Peterson conducted a second autopsy that sane day. A snall bullet wound was located below and to the rear of tha right ear of the victim and a bullet was located behind the left cye socket. Dr. Peterson conciuded. that the cause of death was a gunshot wound. Ihereafter the body of Ms. Aquash was turned over .to Mr. Ellison for burial. With the medical determination that Ms. Aquash died of a gunshot wound, an intensive investigation. was initiated by the Fer to identify Ms. Aquash's killer. Wa have previously provided the United States Deparcnent of State with tha facts of this caso. Sincerely yours, C. M. Keiley Clarence M. Kalley Director