North Dakota : Olivia Lone Bear

Written By Navigating Advocacy Podcast

Photo: Investigation Discovery

Fort Berthold Indian Reservation is in western North Dakota, primarily in Mountrail County. New Town is one of the communities within the reservation. The reservation is home to the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nations, also known as the Three Affiliated Tribes. New Town serves as one of the central hubs within the reservation. It's situated along the northern shores of Lake Sakakawea, sa-cac-a way-a which was formed by the Garrison Dam on the Missouri River. The town's population is predominantly Native American and has a strong cultural influence from the Three Affiliated Tribes.

Photo: North Dakota Studies

Photo: North Dakota Studies

Economically, the reservation thrives on a diverse range of industries, including agriculture, oil and gas development, and tourism. The vast expanse of Lake Sakakawea, a recreational paradise, offers a plethora of activities like fishing, boating, and camping, which not only enrich the local culture but also significantly contribute to the robust local economy.

The reservation faces challenges typical of many Native American communities, including economic disparities, healthcare issues, and preserving cultural heritage. Efforts to address these challenges often involve a combination of tribal initiatives, government programs, and community partnerships. Indigenous women are victims of violent crimes at a rate ten times higher than any other. That is why we are navigating advocacy in New Town, North Dakota. 

Photo: Investigation Discovery

Olivia Keri Lone Bear, also known as “Cedar Woman,” was born on October 11, 1985, to Iris Sherman-Four Bear and Harley Texx, Lone Bear.  She was a child of the Dripping Dirt clan.  Oliva received her Hidatsa name from her Magoo, Sophie Bell. I had to look up the indigenous word because I wasn't familiar with it. The word originates from the Native Mandan language and translates to “grandmother.” Olivia lived in the New Town community until her sophomore year of high school, then moved around quite a bit for the next few years. She became a mother in 2003 to a daughter and then finished obtaining her high school diploma with a home study program. Throughout high school, Olivia was athletic and participated in basketball, volleyball, and cross country. Olivia was described as an outgoing, intelligent, and loving person who loved her kids more than anything. She loved playing poker, golfing, and listening to music. She loved adventure and, in her obituary, was described as a traveling gypsy. 

Photo: NBC News

Olivia was just 32 years old and a mother to five children in 2017 when she went missing. On October 24th, Olivia was seen leaving the Sportsman Bar in New Town in a 2011 teal Chevy Silverado she borrowed from a friend. It is believed that she went home because her daughter heard her speaking with one of her siblings, stating she was going out for a bit but would be home later, and her purse, cell phone, and the clothes she was wearing that day were all found at home. 

On October 27th, Olivia’s father reported her missing after attempts to contact her went unanswered. No one in this close-knit family had heard from her, so Olivia’s brother Matthew spearheaded the search for her. The family wasn't getting much help from the Three Affiliated Tribes' local law enforcement so they took it upon themselves to create a search headquarters and organize searches with friends and family. At one point, they had 15 teams of people out searching for their missing loved one. Matthew purchased a drone to cover more land by air. They also were able to have an airplane search the land. The Three Affiliated Tribes government was providing financial help to searchers with hotel, gas, and food, which I am sure was a massive help. All of these searches turned up no leads. 

Matthew wanted Lake Sakakawea searched right away because one-fifth of the reservation was covered by this body of water and there was at least a chance that Olivia could have been in there. However, his pleas to law enforcement went unanswered, and then by November, the lake started freezing over so it made it impossible to search until the spring. In an interview in early summer 2018, about eight months after Olivia vanished, Matthew stated that there was supposed to be a water search going on, and law enforcement kept pointing fingers at who was supposed to be doing this water search. So, finally, a woman named Lisa Yellowbird joined the search. Now, emotions were obviously high, and things between Yellowbird and Matthew were not always on the up and up, but Yellowbird used a rundown boat and sonar equipment in July of 2018 to search the lake. She found what looked like a truck on the sonar so she sent the image to Keith Cormican, who is a technical diver and certified underwater sonar operator in Wisconsin. He advised her to get more images from different depths and angles, and once she had the perfect image, there was indeed a truck. She then texted Corey Bristol, who was then the chief deputy of Mountrail County Sherriff’s office, the image.  This happened to be a Saturday, and Bristol was about an hour away with her father when he received the text. As soon as he saw it, he jumped in his car and headed back to New Town. He stated it looked like a tiny Tonka truck but knew it was something significant. 

Photo: https://hpr1.com/index.php/feature/news/olivia-lone-bears-pickup-truck-found

It took a few days to coordinate how to get this truck out of the lake, which was submerged 20 feet down and nearly 400 feet from shore. Once they pulled it up, they found the remains of Olivia Lone Bear. She was found buckled into the passenger seat of that same teal pickup truck she was last seen in. Matthew was on site as the vehicle was pulled from the water. He said it was devastating, but also ???.  Olivia was identified by her tattoos, and then an autopsy was conducted; however, the cause or manner of death was unable to be determined. The medical examiner stated they could not decide whether it was natural, traumatic, or toxicology that caused her death. They couldn't even determine if she drowned, which honestly surprised me that they couldn't figure it out. 

The family often criticized law enforcement because they begged them to search the lake but kept pushing it off. Olivia was missing for nine months, and all of that heartache and uncertainty could have been avoided if they had just searched. Law enforcement stated that searching that lake was difficult because it was like looking through coffee. The lake has an average depth of 62 feet and covers 480 square miles. They also said they have followed over 500 leads to multiple states, and they know the family is frustrated, but they are doing a lot behind the scenes that the family is not aware of. 

In 2019, there was a court order to obtain Olivia’s Facebook data and the OnStar information from the truck she was found in. I don't understand why this information wasn't obtained when she went missing versus after being found. I would assume it is more accessible after the person is deceased versus missing, but the way the family has had difficulty with the local law enforcement, I would also assume they didnt request it. 

While investigating, authorities found a witness who told them one of the last text messages he had received from Olivia stated she had been at a bonfire and was about to go mudding. However, authorities could never find anyone who went to this bonfire or mudding with her. Throughout my research, my question was who owned this teal truck and where they were. Were they with Olivia that night, or have authorities confirmed who she was with? Matthew stated that the police asked him not to comment because it was an open and active investigation. 

Police have stated that they have not ruled out murder or manslaughter and are still investigating what actually happened to Olivia that night back in November 2017. When Yellowbird was asked about how she felt being the person who found Olivia, she stated, "I didn't know how to feel, but I was happy that I knew closure was going to happen. I was happy that her children would know the only thing that would come between them and their mom was death." Now I mentioned that there was a falling-out between Yellowbird and Matthew, and he had stated that she was a thorn in our sides and actually asked her to leave the search months before she was found. Yellowbird didnt attend Olivia’s funeral because of these feelings. I want to mention that Yellowbird advocates for missing person cases and travels around the area to help families that need assistance locating their missing loved ones. Law enforcement opinions on this woman are mixed, there are some who believe she poses as an investigator and can be a nuisance while others are happy she is helping when resources are scarce. One member of Olivia Lone Bear’s uncle publicly appreciated Yellowbird's help. He invited her up to Montana, where he lived, and when she did, he gave her a star blanket, which was a symbol of respect and appreciation for finding Olivia. He stated I’m really grateful, It was really emotional for me. He continued we don't need to have that part in our mind, our bodies, our spirits-wondering. End quote. That is where Olivia’s case stands today. The authorities have not released much else when it comes to leads or potential suspects, but someone had to be with Olivia that night, know what she was up to, or even laid eyes on her that night, and we need you to come forward.

 

The FBI is seeking more information in this case and is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to the identification of those responsible for Olivia’s disappearance and death. Anyone with information is urged to call 800-CALLFBI (800-225-5324) or file tips at https://tips.fbi.gov.

Photo: FBI

Navigating Advocacy Podcast

Whitney and Melissa, hosts of Navigating Advocacy, blend their true crime interests with a mission to spark justice through storytelling, inspiring action, and building a community of advocates.

https://www.navigatingadvocacy.com
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