The six-day search for Danica “Tynee” White, a 20-year-old member of the Spirit Lake Tribe, ended in heartbreak Thursday afternoon when her body was discovered and recovered from water in the Fort Totten area. White had been missing since Saturday, November 1.
Danica Tynee White
White was located shortly before 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 6. Tribal officials confirmed that at this time, there is no indication of foul play, though the case remains under investigation. According to reports, “Tynee” White died after falling into the water in an apparent suicide.
The discovery followed an extensive search involving a coordinated response from 22 agencies across local, state, and federal levels. Search teams covered nearly 15,000 acres of land, water, and shoreline using helicopters, drones, ground personnel, divers, mounted units, and K9 teams. Participating agencies included the BIA Police Department, BIA Missing & Murdered Unit, North Dakota Highway Patrol, Bismarck Mounted Police, Benson County Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI, among others.
Search Began After 911 Call
White’s disappearance began early the morning of November 1, when she made a 911 call for assistance around 6:00 a.m. near BIA-25 (Refuse Road) in the Fort Totten area. The Spirit Lake Fire Department arrived at her reported location within 19 minutes, but she was no longer there.
Over the following days, the search widened significantly. A Feather Alert—a statewide alert system developed to help locate missing Indigenous adults—was issued, but tribal officials later confirmed that the alert did not disseminate properly, raising ongoing concerns about system reliability.
Community Grieves a Life Lost Too Soon
The news of White’s passing has deeply affected the Spirit Lake community.
“We are committed to providing support for Danica’s family during this incredibly difficult time,” said Joseph “JJ” Jetty, Spirit Lake Fire Chief and Incident Commander. “This is not the outcome any of us hoped for. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.”
Tribal Chairwoman Lonna Jackson-Street described White as a bright and beloved young woman.
“Danica was a vibrant young woman with her whole life ahead of her,” Jackson-Street said. “Our hearts are heavy. We ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy and to hold them in prayer as they grieve.”
