A senseless death
The indigenous community in the USA has another victim to mourn.
In 2019, Esther Wolfe, a member of the Lakota Oglala tribe, was kidnapped by her former partner, held captive for nine days and brutally abused. She survived. Now she has fallen victim to a “public execution” in Rapid City, South Dakota.
Encounter in 2022
It is a cold December day in when I meet Esther Wolfe at an indigenous cultural center in Rapid City. She is wearing a light gray hoodie, has no make-up and is reserved, but clear in what she says. She speaks openly about what had been done to her by her ex-partner three years earlier. Esther says that she wants to make her story public because she hopes that other young women who - like once herself - are living in an abusive relationship will find the courage to leave. Her encounter with Susan Shangreaux from the Oglala Sioux Tribal Victim Services in Pine Ridge motivated her to be so open. The support center has a long list of names on its Facebook page: all Oglala Lakota women and girls who have been murdered by their current or former husbands, partners or boyfriends.
Esther Wolfe was luckier. At the time of our interview, she was still struggling with post-traumatic stress syndrome. And she has only been off alcohol for two days. But she not only reflects self-critically on her own part in what she had experienced, but also on that of her community: where women are supposed to be respected, but domestic violence is the order of the day. Where young girls and boys learn toxic gender roles from their parents, uncles and older siblings. How will her young nephew one day treat his girlfriend, his wife and his children after witnessing Esther's former partner choke her to unconsciousness?
Esther told me all this on that December day in Rapid City. Some of it can be read in my story about the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, MMIW.
Sad News
And now the e-mail, which I don't want to believe at first: "My sister Esther Wolfe was murdered here in Rapid City and I want her story to be heard." What Esther's sister Krystal wrote couldn't be true. Unfortunately, it is. According to the public prosecutor's office, Esther Wolfe fell the victim to a "public execution".
On the evening of February 21, 2024, Esther Wolfe was killed by multiple gunshots in a Rapid City parking lot. The alleged mastermind, 23-year-old Ezekial Mayweather, is said to have not only orchestrated the murder, but also procured the firearm and directed a second man to fire the fatal shots. Prosecutor Lara Roetzel cited Mayweather's family's mistaken belief that Wolfe was responsible for the death of Ezekial's brother in 2019 as a motive. However, law enforcement authorities have confirmed that this suspicion is unfounded. Esther Wolfe was murdered on Mayweather's brother's birthday. She was 25 years old. Her family is publicly demanding justice for her, i.e. harsh punishment for the perpetrators.
Here the full interview with Esther Wolfe of December 23, 2022
Obituary of the family
Esther Marie Wolfe
"Unci Maka Akan Mani Winyan"
May 30, 1998 ~ February 21, 2024
We have people telling us how big of an impact Esther made on their lives. Esther knew that she always wanted to help others. No matter what she was put on this earth to help. Her smile was so radiant and her personality was contagious, Esther was definitely unmatched with her beauty. Esther has endured some very traumatic events. From this Esther’s personality shifted, almost unrecognizable but the smile and love was still there.
Having gone through so much during her short time here on earth even then she still wanted to help others. Esther would give the clothes off her back and her food to those who needed it. It makes us angry to think that we have to live without her. What is life without ESTHER MARIE? We now have to cherish the memories and pray that she guides us through this difficult time. If you know Esther, then you knew that she was always compassionate to others because she knew how cruel people can be.
The overwhelming love that we have received during this hard time makes the pain and hurt disappear for seconds, then it’s back to hurt, and anger. We just want everyone to know that Esther loved everyone, especially her nieces and nephews and the ones she claimed as her own. Please don’t forget to hug your loved ones and cherish them earth side. Our family fell short because we weren't promised tomorrow. Esther Marie Wolfe was stolen from her family not once but twice.
(The orbituary was first published on Facebook.)