PIERRE, S.D.-    Attorney General Marty Jackley and Grant County Sheriff Kevin Owen confirm that two individuals have been arrested for the homicide death of Tess Morgan Monae White of West Allis, WI.  Tiffany Lynn Simmons, 36, Milwaukee, WI, and Shanta Dwan Pearson, 45, West Allis, WI, were both arrested by complaint today. This case presented investigators with a complex and dangerous burglary, drug ring and the ultimate murder of a young woman and her fetus.

“Law enforcement cooperation, technology, and old fashion investigation techniques have resulted in the arrest of two individuals for the murder of Tess White and her 10-week old fetus, whose burnt remains were recovered in Grant County,” said Jackley. “On behalf of South Dakota, I want to thank all of our South Dakota, Wisconsin and Colorado officers for their extraordinary work that resulted in these arrests.”

The Grant County Sheriff’s Office and the Division of Criminal Investigation began an investigation after a burned body was discovered by a landowner on the afternoon of Tuesday, May 17th.  Authorities were able to identify White within a week from DNA taken from the remains of the body. Upon further investigation and additional DNA taken from the crime scene, South Dakota authorities were able to identify the possible suspects.   

  
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