Sioux Falls, SD (KELO AM) - The body found dead Wednesday morning has been identified as that of 46 year old Irma Jacqueline Swiftbird. Authorities have not released details surrounding her death, other than that she was not dressed appropriately for cold weather and that no foul play is suspected.
Swiftbird’s body was found by a Sioux Merchant Patrol officer in the stairwell of the parking ramp at City Hall. According to Maria Krell of the downtown Good Shepard Center said Swiftbird was a frequent visitor of the center and had an apartment in town. Krell went on to say she was a warm, caring person who would frequently give to others in need.
Krell has called on everyone in the Sioux Falls community to reach out to the just over 600 people in Sioux Falls classified as homeless. She challenges Churches to open their doors at night so people can warm up, but it does not stop there. “If there’s a business with a lobby, could you throw down mats? I know it’s not ideal, no one likes to work with the homeless population.”
Autopsy results for Swiftbird are still pending.