(KBHB – Sturgis, SD) There appears to be a break in the case of a Belle Fourche woman who has been missing since 2003.
Steven Lee Ulrich, 69, was arrested in connection with the disappearance of Beverly Ozuna-Ulrich and is currently in the Meade County Jail.
Beverly Ozuna-Ulrich, the mother of eight children, was living in Belle Fourche, South Dakota in 2003. A member of the Lakota tribe, Beverly was the youngest of 16 siblings in a large, close-knit family.
Roughly 14 months before Beverly disappeared, she had separated from her husband. However, she would regularly return to the home to cook and clean for the children. Beverly was last seen leaving her South Dakota home on October 17, 2003, by her estranged husband, Steven. Ten days later on October 27, 2003, her family would report her missing.
Belle Fourche Police Chief Ryan Cherveny tells KBHB News that it remains an ongoing investigation, but says they have been following up leads in the more than 20-year-old case and conducting interviews the past six years. That investigation led to Steven’s arrest on November 25th.
Meade County State’s Attorney Michelle Bordewyk confirms Ulrich has been charged with Murder in the First Degree in connection with the disappearance and apparent death of his estranged wife. Alternatively, Steven Ulrich also faces murder in the 2nd Degree.
When asked if Beverly’s body had been found, Cherveny could not comment and says that remains under investigation.
Steven Ulrich remains in jail in lieu of $500,000 dollars cash only bond.
