State Provides Update on McKenna Wendel Case

Authorities say 14-year-old was not killed where her body was found

Mar. 25, 2026 at 4:47pm

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State's Attorney Dan Nelson says the body of 14-year-old McKenna Wendel was not killed where it was discovered on March 19th in Brookings County, six days after she was last seen on March 13th. Wendel was a student at McGovern Middle School in Sioux Falls, and the school board president says the community is heartbroken over her death.

Why it matters

This case has shaken the Sioux Falls community, where Wendel was a student, and raises questions about the circumstances surrounding her disappearance and death. Authorities are still investigating the details of what happened.

The details

According to State's Attorney Dan Nelson, McKenna Wendel's body was found in Brookings County, but she was not killed at that location. The 14-year-old girl was last seen on March 13th, and her body was discovered six days later on March 19th.

  • McKenna Wendel was last seen on March 13th.
  • Her body was found on March 19th in Brookings County.

The players

Dan Nelson

The State's Attorney handling the case.

Nan Kelly

The president of the Sioux Falls School Board, where McKenna Wendel was a student.

McKenna Wendel

A 14-year-old student at McGovern Middle School in Sioux Falls who was found dead.

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What they’re saying

“The community is heartbroken and our thoughts are with the family, friends, teachers, and loved ones of McKenna.”

— Nan Kelly, Sioux Falls School Board President

What’s next

Authorities are continuing to investigate the details surrounding McKenna Wendel's disappearance and death.

The takeaway

This tragic case has deeply impacted the Sioux Falls community, where McKenna Wendel was a student, and highlights the need for thorough investigations into missing persons cases to provide answers and closure for grieving families.