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When Olivia Lone Bear went missing on October 24, 2017, her family was thrust into a search that would span years, uncovering a series of perplexing details that would leave them without answers. This episode delves into the mysterious circumstances surrounding Olivia’s disappearance, from the cryptic final texts sent from her phone to the unexplainable discovery of the truck she had been driving being found just miles from her home. With no clear answers and the investigation stalled, the episode also explores the challenges faced by Indigenous families in the fight for justice, highlighting the systemic barriers that complicate the search for missing women like Olivia.
As we examine the key pieces of this case, we also ask: who might Olivia have been with on the night she disappeared? Was the truck’s location an accident or something more sinister? Could the mysterious digital footprints left behind be part of a larger story, and why has no one come forward with answers?
Sources:
AP News. (2019, November 20). Affidavit: Woman was strapped into seat of submerged truck. https://apnews.com/general-news-0c2c29a4bc1d4f309ba5cf5a7f3a79c3
Associated Press. (2018, August 1). Body found in truck pulled from lake tied to missing woman: FBI. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2018/08/01/body-found-in-truck-pulled-from-lake-tied-to-missing-woman-fbi/
Associated Press. (2018, August 2). Brother: Body of missing sister recovered on reservation. AP News. https://apnews.com/general-news-b1d5cfb9dfbe40fcaac7e4ec1454e5a3
Associated Press. (2019, November 20). Missing woman whose body was found in a submerged truck in a North Dakota lake was strapped into the passenger seat. Daily Mail. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7708809/Affidavit-Woman-strapped-seat-submerged-truck.html
Canning, A. (2021, August 31). Watch the Dateline episode “The Secrets of Spirit Lake” now. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/dateline/watch-dateline-episode-secrets-spirit-lake-now-n1278074
CSVANW. (2018, August 16). CSVANW statement on Olivia Lone Bear. Lakota Times. https://www.lakotatimes.com/articles/csvanw-statement-on-olivia-lone-bear/
Dalrymple, A. (2017, November 16). Investigation into Olivia Lone Bear case got off to ‘very slow start,’ ND tribal chairman says. Bismarck Tribune. https://www.inforum.com/news/investigation-into-olivia-lone-bear-case-got-off-to-very-slow-start-nd-tribal-chairman-says
Democracy Now. (n.d.). Native American mother of 5 missing in North Dakota. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/democracynow/videos/native-american-mother-of-5-missing-in-north-dakota/10155889437833279/
Democracy Now. (2017, November 29). Native American woman Olivia Lone Bear, mother of 5, missing in North Dakota oil fields. Democracy Now. https://www.democracynow.org/2017/11/29/native_american_woman_olivia_lone_bear
Democracy Now. (2018, August 3). Body of Olivia Lone Bear Found in N. Dakota as Native Women Face Crisis of Murders, Disappearances. https://www.democracynow.org/2018/8/3/body_of_olivia_lone_bear_found
Dura, J. (2019, November 20). New details emerge in Olivia Lone Bear case as federal authorities visit Fort Berthold Reservation. Bismarck Tribune. https://bismarcktribune.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/new-details-emerge-in-olivia-lone-bear-case-as-federal-authorities-visit-fort-berthold-reservation/article_7ab709ae-e625-5d3c-8277-96fe812198e4.html
Dura, J., & Emerson, B. (2019, July 31). Still no answers about death of Olivia Lone Bear from FBI. InForum. https://www.inforum.com/news/still-no-answers-about-death-of-olivia-lone-bear-from-fbi
Ecoffey, B. (2018, August 9). Olivia Lone Bear found: Cause of death not made public. Lakota Times. https://www.lakotatimes.com/articles/olivia-lone-bear-found/
Emerson, B. (2019, April 9). North Dakota AG says Olivia Lone Bear report of death exempt from open records. Bismarck Tribune. https://www.grandforksherald.com/newsmd/north-dakota-ag-says-olivia-lone-bear-report-of-death-exempt-from-open-records
Facebook. (n.d.). Searching for Olivia Lone Bear. https://www.facebook.com/searchingforolivialonebear/
Hall, J. (2017, December 6). The Search Continues For Olivia Lone Bear. Roundup Web. https://www.roundupweb.com/story/2017/12/06/news/the-search-continues-for-olivia-lone-bear/10337.html
Hillier, B. (2017, December 11). Family frustrated by lack of search efforts in Native American woman Olivia Lone Bear’s disappearance. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/missing-in-america/family-frustrated-lack-search-efforts-native-america-woman-olivia-lone-n828561
Hillier, B. (2018, August 3). FBI confident that body found in submerged truck belongs to missing mother Olivia Lone Bear. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/missing-in-america/fbi-confident-body-found-submerged-truck-belongs-missing-mother-olivia-n897546
HPR1. (2017, November 8). Senatorial eyes on missing person case. https://hpr1.com/index.php/feature/news/senatorial-eyes-on-missing-person-case
HPR1. (2018, August 1). Olivia Lone Bear’s pickup truck found. https://hpr1.com/index.php/feature/news/olivia-lone-bears-pickup-truck-found
Itzcovitz, R. (2018, August 2). As search for Olivia Lone Bear ends, a new Fargo task force begins. Valley News Live. https://www.valleynewslive.com/content/news/As-search-for-Olivia-Lone-Bear-ends-a-new-Fargo-task-force-begins-489937311.html
Keeler, J. (2018, May 7). ‘No crime scene’: The search for Olivia Lone Bear. High Country News. https://www.hcn.org/issues/50-12/tribal-affairs-no-crime-scene-the-search-for-olivia-lone-bear/
KFGO. (2020, July 31). Two years later, feds looking for leads into death, disappearance of Olivia Lone Bear. KFGO. https://www.kfyrtv.com/2020/07/31/two-years-later-feds-looking-for-leads-into-death-disappearance-of-olivia-lone-bear/
KFGO. (2023, July 30). ‘Not forgotten’ – Five years after body found, Olivia Lone Bear investigation continues. The Mighty 790 KFGO. https://kfgo.com/2023/07/30/860502/
KFYO TV. (2017, November 6). Search for Olivia Lone Bear continues nearly two weeks after disappearance. KFYO TV. https://www.kxnet.com/news/search-for-olivia-lone-bear-continues-nearly-two-weeks-after-disappearance/
KFYO TV. (2019, April 9). Lone Bear family reacts to ruling on access to death report. KFYO TV. https://www.kfyrtv.com/content/news/Lone-Bear-family-reacts-to-ruling-on-access-to-death-report-508342561.html
KFYO TV. (2019, November 21). Lone Bear family, federal investigators speak on Olivia’s case. KFYO TV. https://www.kfyrtv.com/content/news/Lone-Bear-family-federal-investigators-speak-on-Olivias-case-565306751.html
KFYO TV. (2019, November 26). MHA Chairman releases statement on updates to Olivia Lone Bear investigation. KFYO TV. https://www.kfyrtv.com/content/news/MHA-Chairman-releases-statement-on-updates-to-Olivia-Lone-Bear-investigation–565512391.html
KFYO TV. (2023, October 24). Search continues for answers in death of Olivia Lone Bear. KFYO TV. https://www.kfyrtv.com/2023/10/24/search-continues-answers-death-olivia-lone-bear/
KFYR TV. (2017, November 2). New Town authorities create tipline in search for Olivia Lone Bear. https://www.kfyrtv.com/content/news/New-Town-authorities-create-tipline-in-search-for-Olivia-Lone-Bear-454740883.html
KVVR. (2018, January 23). Search for Missing Native American Woman Expands Beyond Fort Berthold. https://www.kvrr.com/2018/01/23/search-missing-native-american-woman-expands-beyond-fort-berthold/
KXNET. (2019, November 20). BREAKING: New information in Olivia Lone Bear case. KXNET.com https://www.kxnet.com/news/local-news/breaking-new-information-in-olivia-lone-bear-case/
Langhans Funeral Home. (n.d.). Obituary for Olivia Lone Bear. https://www.langhansfuneralhome.com/obituary/olivia-lone-bear
The Mighty 790 KFGO. (2023, July 30). ‘Not forgotten’ – Five years after body found, Olivia Lone Bear investigation continues. KFGO. https://kfgo.com/2023/07/30/860502/
NBC News. (2024, March 6). Missing and murdered Indigenous people featured in Dateline NBC’s Missing in America and Cold Case Spotlight series. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/dateline/in-the-news/missing-murdered-indigenous-people-featured-dateline-nbcs-missing-amer-rcna142027
Nelson, T. (2018, February 4). Bureau of Indian Affairs taking over Olivia Lone Bear investigation. KVRR. https://www.kvrr.com/2018/02/04/bureau-indian-affairs-taking-olivia-lone-bear-investigation
NewsBreak. (2024, March 20). North Dakota woman who disappeared in 2017 was found dead at the bottom of a lake on July 27, 2018. NewsBreak. https://www.newsbreak.com/gistinger-1668135/3374292930279-a-north-dakota-woman-who-disappeared-in-2017-was-found-dead-at-the-bottom-of-a-lake-on-july-27-2018
Ogden, E. (2018, January 23). Olivia Lone Bear search expands to ND cities. Minot Daily News. https://www.minotdailynews.com/news/local-news/2018/01/olivia-lone-bear-search-expands-to-nd-cities/
Prairie Public Broadcasting. (2017, November 1). Search underway for missing Stanley, ND woman. https://news.prairiepublic.org/local-news/2017-11-01/search-underway-for-missing-stanley-nd-woman
Rasmussen, A. (n.d.). Still Unsolved: Olivia Lone Bear Found Dead In Submerged Truck After She Vanished In 2017. Investigation Discovery. https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/crimefeed/seeking-justice/still-unsolved-olivia-lone-bear-found-dead-in-submerged-truck-after-she-vanished-in-2017
Shores, E. (2023, August 22). Reservations gain access to state resources. KFYO TV. https://www.kfyrtv.com/2023/08/22/reservations-gain-access-state-resources/
Skurzewski, J. (2017, November 2). New Town authorities create tipline in search for Olivia Lone Bear. KFYR TV. https://www.kfyrtv.com/content/news/New-Town-authorities-create-tipline-in-search-for-Olivia-Lone-Bear-454740883.html
Skurzewski, J. (2017, November 17). Family of Olivia Lone Bear offering reward for info on her disappearance. KFYO TV. https://www.valleynewslive.com/content/news/Family-of-Olivia-Lone-Bear-offering-reward-for-info-on-her-disappearance-458196573.htm
Skurzewski, J. (2019, March 19). Missing person’s bill gets support from family of Olivia Lone Bear. KFYO TV. https://www.kfyrtv.com/content/news/Missing-persons-bill-gets-support-from-family-of-Olivia-Lone-Bear-507378991.html
Strong, S. (2021, April 7). Unit within Interior to investigate cases of missing and murdered Indigenous people. KFYO TV. https://www.valleynewslive.com/2021/04/08/unit-within-interior-to-investigate-cases-of-missing-and-murdered-indigenous-people/
Strong, S. (2021, May 8). Marchers gather in Minot to raise awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People. KFYO TV. https://www.kfyrtv.com/2021/05/08/marchers-gather-in-minot-to-raise-awareness-of-missing-and-murdered-indigenous-people/
StrongWalker. (n.d.). FBI offers $10,000 reward for information in Olivia Lone Bear’s death, whose body was found strapped on passenger’s side of truck in lake. Indigenous Boston. https://indigenous.boston/fbi-offers-10000-reward-for-information-in-olivia-lone-bears-death-whose-body-was-found-strapped-on-passengers-side-of-truck-in-lake
U.S. Department of Justice. (2019, November 20). MEDIA ADVISORY – U.S. Attorney and FBI Leadership Brief Family of Olivia Lone Bear on Death Investigation. https://www.justice.gov/usao-nd/pr/media-advisory-us-attorney-and-fbi-leadership-brief-family-olivia-lone-bear-death#:~:text=Olivia%20Lone%20Bear.,toxicological%20causes%20for%20her%20death
Valley News Live. (2019, August 1). No answers 1 year later in American Indian woman’s death. https://www.valleynewslive.com/content/news/Olivia-Lone-Bear-One-Year-Later-513482291.html
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This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep