Missing Sioux Falls Woman

She's deceased

Thoughts, prayers go out

Sioux Falls' deaf community struggled to come to grips Friday night with how one of their own could have been killed.

Police announced just more than an hour before a forum and prayer vigil was to begin that Darlene VanderGiesen, 42, had died and a woman had been arrested in connection with her murder.

Between 100 and 125 people came to Communication Service for the Deaf's recreation center at 3520 S. Gateway Lane to pray for VanderGiesen's safe return. Instead, they grieved for her, comforted her family and sought solace in each other.

"It's so hard to believe what has happened to her," said Shari Johnson, VanderGiesen's co-worker at JDS Industries. "She did not deserve it."

The night began with Sioux Falls police spokesman Loren McManus updating the crowd about the latest developments. Several asked questions about the investigation, suspect Daphne Wright and her connection to VanderGiesen.

"I can't see how a strong woman like Darlene can be murdered by someone that is not as strong. Why is that?" Cheryl Brimmer of Sioux Falls said.

McManus replied that police have those same questions. "Sometimes what the motivation was or what somebody was thinking or why they couldn't fight back - sometimes we are never able to figure it out," he said.

Sallie Collins, who knew the victim and suspect, and a friend, Angela Glann, sobbed and embraced as they heard details.

Donald Browning, a former California police officer now in Sioux Falls, credited police for solving VanderGiesen's disappearance with few details.

The Rev. Clyde Teel of Community Reformed Church spoke and led a prayer during which a few offered their own spiritual hopes for VanderGiesen.

Some deaf individuals reached across the aisle to clasp hands in unity.

Afterward, VanderGiesen's sister, Sandra Sidford, said she cried and was angry at the suspect after her mother told her about her sister's fate.

"It's hard for me to let go in my heart," she said through an interpreter. "If they find her, we'll be thinking she's in heaven. We hope they find the body."

Sidford's husband, Jeffrey, noted that VanderGiesen lived with them for a while but wanted to be independent. He recalled how they joked together and camped.

Both Sidfords said they were satisfied that someone was arrested within days of Darlene's disappearance.

James Cartledge met Vander-Giesen at the rec center.

"She was such a sweet woman, fun and smiling," he said.

Cassidy Simons became close friends with VanderGiesen and said they watched movies and played with Simons' cat.

"I miss her already," she said.
 
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Article Published: 02/11/06, 2:55 am

Police have made an arrest in the disappearance and death of a deaf Sioux Falls woman and say jealousy over an alleged relationship appears to be the motive.

A week after Darlene VanderGiesen, 42, was reported missing, police arrested Daphne Wright, an acquaintance they say argued with VanderGiesen in the days before her disappearance.

Wright, 42 and also deaf, was arrested Friday afternoon at a Sioux Falls hotel and charged with first-degree murder. She is being held without bond at the Minnehaha County Jail.

Meanwhile, a massive search for evidence at the city's landfill will continue, as will the investigation, police said.

After eight days of waiting for his daughter's return, Gene VanderGiesen said it was difficult to stay hopeful, but Friday's murder charge still comes as a shock.

"You can't express the feeling of emptiness. To think that your daughter could be in a pile of rubble, it's just devastating to us," he said.

Wright lived at 1806 S. Phillips Ave., where much of the investigation has centered since early in the week. Wright has been the focus of the investigation, Dave Nelson, state's attorney for Minnehaha County, said Friday.

An arrest warrant affidavit said that when officers entered the house, they noticed the smell of fresh paint and found that a small basement room and stairway were recently painted blue.

Crime scene technicians analyzing the small room collected items that appeared to be of human origin, the affidavit said. The county coroner determined that the items were fat, bone and muscle tissue.

Another woman living in the same house told police that Wright removed carpet and cement blocks from the house on the evening VanderGiesen was last seen. The roommate also told police that Wright left with a large black plastic garbage bag and intended to take the items to a neighborhood Dumpster, the affidavit said.

Wright initially denied to police having seen Vander-Giesen on the day she disappeared. However, she later changed her story and, according to the affidavit, said she had a conversation with VanderGiesen in the parking lot of a Pizza Hut, where police later found the missing woman's truck.

Wright told police she was upset with VanderGiesen because she thought Vander-Giesen was trying to destroy her relationship with Sallie Collins, whom she called her girlfriend for the past five years. Wright said she thought Collins was cheating on her with Vander-Giesen, the affidavit said.

On Jan. 27, an argument broke out when Wright arrived at Collins' apartment and found VanderGiesen there.

At a news conference Friday evening, Nelson and police chief Doug Barthel sought to calm concerns among the deaf community that VanderGiesen was targeted because she was deaf.

"This was not a random act," Nelson said.

Later in the evening, at a forum and prayer vigil at Communication Service for the Deaf's recreation center, friends and relatives of VanderGiesen reacted to the arrest.

VanderGiesen's younger sister, Sandra Sidford, and her husband, Jeffrey, said they first met Wright when she and Collins stopped at VanderGiesen's apartment last Saturday to offer their condolences.

"The two were praying for Darlene," Jeffrey Sidford said through an interpreter. "She didn't say much, kept it real short."

James Cartledge said through an interpreter that he met Wright when he and his wife, Cherie, stopped at the house on South Phillips Avenue to visit his co-worker, Jacki Chesmore. Cartledge said Wright shied away from the couple when he tried to introduce his wife to her.

Cartledge said Wright moved from Maryland to Sioux Falls seven years ago and could not find a job.

"She was kind of odd, a little withdrawn," Cartledge said of Wright. "She socialized a lot with the deaf community in Maryland, but not here."

Barthel said excavation at the landfill would continue over the weekend in search of evidence.


Wow, we just find out about her and murdered. we have friends who lives there that keep us infor...
 
Murder Charge In Missing Woman Case



Click Here To View Complete Police Press Conference (with Sign Language Translation)

Sioux Falls Police have arrested a 42-year-old-deaf woman, Daphne Wright, for the murder of 42-year-old Darlene VanderGiesen.

According to court papers, Wright told police she believed VanderGiesen was having an affair with Wright's girlfriend.

Police initially suspected Wright because they found a profane instant message on VanderGiesen's computer they traced to Wright. While interviewing Wright, she admitted to sending the message and said she talked with VanderGiesen in the Pizza Hut parking lot the night she disappeared. That's where police found VanderGiesen's pickup truck.

Police were led the landfill because Wright told police she tossed a carpet from her basement into a dumpster in the parking lot of the old Kmart on South Minnesota Avenue.

Wright's roommate told police she saw Wright on Friday leaving the Phillips avenue home with carpet, some cement blocks, and a large black garbage bag, and she was gone for two hours.

Wright is in Minnehaha County jail, held on no bail. She'll be in court Monday.
 
Family And Friends Remember VanderGiesen



Members of the deaf community had a chance to ask officials their own questions tonight and participate in a prayer service. Hundreds of people gathered to support the VanderGiesen family.

What was originally planned as a chance for friends and family to pray for Darlene VanderGiesen's safe return, turned into a service honoring her life and acknowledging her death.

Emotions ranged from grief to frustration as representatives from the Sioux Falls Police Department shared the most recent developments in VanderGiesen's case.

"Who would want to do such a terrible thing to her," said Shari Johnson, who worked closely with VanderGiesen.

People were then able to ask questions and a pastor offered spiritual guidance. Despite the tragic news, most seemed to find refuge in the fact that at least part of the mystery has been solved.

"She would want us to be strong, and positive, she'd want that for us every day," said one of VanderGiesen's close friends.

The group offered their own thoughts and prayers, and even personal memories. They shared them holding hands - a symbol of unity and strength.

"She came in every day at 9:30 a.m., she said 'good morning' to everyone and was always smiling. She was fun to work with, she was just a joyful, joyful lady," Johnson said.

As the service ended, people took turns offering their condolences to VanderGiesen's parents, with hopes Darlene's body will soon be found. And even though her life was cut short, friends and supporters made it clear her memory will live on for years to come.

"We just have to be patient and have faith and I think everything will be okay," Johnson said. "I know she's in a better place, she's smiling and she can hear, and what better thing can you ask for."

Police are still asking for the publics help to locate VanderGiesen's body by checking open land, ditches, brush and out buildings both in, and around Sioux Falls. Anyone with information is asked to call police immediately.
 
Love Triangle May Have Led to Murder
Click Here To View Complete Police Press Conference (with Sign Language Translation)

Sioux Falls Police now believe 42-year-old Darlene VanderGiesen was murdered, that a deaf woman is responsible and a love triangle is at the center of it.

Police arrested 42-year-old Daphne Wright this afternoon after DNA linked VanderGiesen's body to Wright's home on S. Phillips Ave. Wright admitted to police she thought her girlfriend of five years was having an affair with VanderGiesen.

“Today at about 4:45 p.m., Daphne Wright was taken into custody at a local hotel,” says Sioux Falls Police Chief Doug Barthel. “She's been charged with one count of first degree murder.”

Police believe Wright killed VanderGiesen in Wright’s basement late last week in a rage of jealousy.

Court papers lay out what officials believe happened. VanderGiesen and Wright met in the Pizza Hut parking lot on 26th and Sycamore on Wednesday of last week.

Wright suspected VanderGiesen was having an affair with Wright's girlfriend, Sallie Collins.

Police found VanderGiesen's vehicle in the Pizza Hut parking lot two days later.

When they searched VanderGiesen's home, they found bed sheets missing and an obscene instant message on her computer from Daphne Wright.

On Tuesday police entered Wright's home at 1806 S. Phillips Ave. The stairs and a small room in the basement were freshly painted. In that room, police found what was later determined to be pieces of human bone, muscle, and fat.

Wright's roommate says she saw Wright leave with carpet and cement blocks from the basement last Friday. Wright was also carrying a large black plastic garbage bag and was gone for about two hours.

Wright later admitted to police that she tossed the carpet in a dumpster in Sioux Falls. She also told police she met with VanderGiesen on the last day VanderGiesen was seen.

“We have not recovered her body,” Barthel says. “We have evidence, though, to make the charge of murder.”

Today when DNA tests determined the human remains found in this basement belonged to Darlene VanderGiesen, police arrested Daphne Wright.

The search for VanderGiesen's body continued today at the Sioux Falls landfill. Police are nearly halfway through the pile of trash in which they hope to find more evidence.

Wright is in jail and will appear in court Monday.


Gee wow we know..
 
RIP Darlene. :sadwave: I'm shocked to hear the news. I hate when those things happen.
 
This is terribly sad....May Darlene rest in peace!

:hug: DreamDeaf ....

If you need someone to 'listen', you know where to find me and I'm sure other AD'ers will do the same--please do hang in there and cherish the good memories of your friendl
 
God Bless you DreamDeaf, and Especially God Bless the VanderGiesen Family.

I pray you and her family will be comforted from this terrible, bad experience and emerge to become more stronger..... somehow.

Of course, It would have been much better that she was alive and returned back to the Deaf community safe and also returned to her family alive and safe too.

Here is an excerpt from the newspaper article that you may find comfort in....

"She would want us to be strong, and positive, she'd want that for us every day," said one of VanderGiesen's close friends.

Rest In Peace Darlene. God Bless and comfort her family and her friends....

All of us in the Deaf community mourns one of its own even though some of us may not even know her or have never met her before. I did not even know her at all.

She is still one of our own from the Deaf community. Stay strong and God Bless.
 
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My friend lives in iowa sioux city and that girl is look so sweet but why KILL her so sweet lady andJEALOUS kill her not worth oh i'm very very very sorry to hear bout it.. she's rest in a peace in heaven.. the god will take care of her.. Pray for her.....
 
Oh dear.....I am so sorry to hear about this terrible news. It is so sad. My heart and condolences go to her families and friends.

:hug: DreamDeaf and others who knew her personally.
 
Oh my gosh! Someone told me on IM today via my SK about it..it's so sad!

RIP Darlene!
 
Oh no, that's so sad :(.....this is terrible news, May Darlene rest in peace.....


I hope they will be able to find her body soon... *sigh*....



DreamDeaf, I'm so sorry to hear about your friend, if you need someone to listen, you know where to find me hon :hug:....
 
Glad that the justice have served! Hope they find her body ASAP so they can have nice funeral.
 
I met her few times back in late 90's in Sioux Falls Deaf club.. that my ex husband lived and raised in SF...
I am very disappointed and sad that Darlene has to end up like this..
Go Peace Darlene.. RIP.. *huggs*
 
yea PW told me abt that.. i really shocked.. sigh!! first thing i dont know who are they til PW explained me then i got it now i remmy them... sowwy to hear abt that.. sigh..
 
DeafJan2

It is so shocked to hear about it. I have met Daphne Wright once. I know Sallie Collins for a long time. I want to give my sympathy to Darlene's family even I dont know Darlene. It is a shame for Darlene to be gone. Darlene is peace in heaven. Hope that they will find Darlene's body.
 
Thanks - I will let you know when the memorial service plans are in place... _ would like to send flowers to the service.

I knew Darlene - she was a nice, sweet girl.

I will miss her.
 
Murder suspect pleads not guilty to murder charge
By DAN HAUGEN
dhaugen@argusleader.com

February 13, 2006, 2:07 pm

Sioux Falls police still can't say how Darlene VanderGiesen was killed, but after finding body parts in the city landfill, they now know more about the manner in which her body was disposed.

"We know there was some level of dismemberment," police spokesman Loren McManus said.

McManus said the search for evidence at the landfill will continue, possibly through the end of this week.

Meanwhile, Daphne Wright, the 42-year-old deaf woman accused of murdering VanderGisen ,made her first court appearance this afternoon and pleaded not guilty to the murder charge.

Lawyers for Wright did not object to her being held in jail with no bond..

VanderGiesen, 42, first went missing almost two weeks ago. Wright was arrested last Friday at a Sioux Falls motel and charged with first-degree murder.

Police allege that VanderGiesen, who also was deaf, was killed by Wright because Wright thought VanderGiesen was interfering in a five-year relationship Wright had with a girlfriend.
 
DreamDeaf said:
Sioux Falls police still can't say how Darlene VanderGiesen was killed, but after finding body parts in the city landfill, they now know more about the manner in which her body was disposed.
Click to expand...


Umm does that mean she was cut up in pieces?.... :shock: ...


I don't understand why she would pleads not guilty ? I thought she said she killed her?....
 
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