The Survivor’s Story: Sandra Cheskey and the Gitchie Manitou Murders

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Sioux Falls, South Dakota – In November 1973, the community of Sioux Falls was rocked by a horrific event that left four young boys dead. The news spread like wildfire, but the details were scarce. It wasn’t until the following Monday that the names of the victims were announced on the radio: Stewart Baade, Dana Baade, Roger Essem, and Mike Hadrath. The shock and devastation reverberated throughout the halls of Sioux Falls Washington High School.

Phil Hamman, a sophomore at the time, remembers the moment he heard the news. He recalls feeling physically sick and almost throwing up. The tragedy had struck too close to home, as Mike Hadrath was his childhood best friend. The entire community was in mourning, trying to understand what had happened to these young boys.

However, as the students tried to process their grief, the teachers at the high school were growing increasingly irritated. They yelled at the students, telling them not to discuss the Gitchie Manitou murders and to just go to class. The students complied, but privately, they couldn’t help but wonder who could have committed such a heinous act and why.

The answers came when three brothers, Allen Fryer, James Fryer, and David Fryer, were captured as suspects. It turned out that there was a witness to the crime, a 13-year-old girl named Sandra Cheskey. Cheskey had met Essem earlier that summer and had been invited to join him and his friends for a campfire at Gitchie Manitou on the night of November 17, 1973.

However, the Fryer brothers, posing as law enforcement, shot Essem before taking the rest of the group hostage. Cheskey was separated from the others, raped, and threatened. The next day, when rumors began spreading about the missing boys, Cheskey went to the authorities with her story. Despite initial doubt from the officers, Cheskey’s testimony played a crucial role in finding the Fryer brothers, who were subsequently sentenced to life in prison.

Cheskey’s bravery came at a great cost. At just 14 years old, she had witnessed murder, been raped, and faced intense scrutiny throughout the criminal justice process. The social stigma surrounding her remained long after the trial ended, and she became known as the “Gitchie Girl.” Decades later, Cheskey reached out to Phil Hamman with an idea.

Hamman had written a memoir that included his memories of the Gitchie Manitou murders, and with Cheskey’s help, he and his wife published “Gitchie Girl: The Survivor’s Inside Story of the Mass Murders That Shocked the Heartland” in 2016. The book shed light on Cheskey’s struggles after that fateful night, including suicidal depression and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.

The publication of the book brought attention to Cheskey’s story and allowed others to come forward with their own stories of trauma and survival. The response proved Cheskey’s instincts correct, as dozens of people shared their experiences at book signings. Finally, after decades of isolation and secrecy, Cheskey felt like she could start walking with her head held high.

The tragedy at Gitchie Manitou had a profound impact on the community of Sioux Falls and the way it dealt with trauma. Over the past 50 years, there has been a shift in the way schools and the justice system respond to child victims. Staying silent is no longer seen as the solution, as it can further isolate individuals and make them more vulnerable.

Kari Oyen, director of the school psychology program at the University of South Dakota, emphasizes the importance of talking through loss and trauma. She states that it’s not a matter of if a crisis will touch a particular school population, but when. Schools now serve as a central resource hub for children, providing counseling and support services.

However, there is still a shortage of resources when it comes to mental health support in schools. Oyen explains that 1 in 5 children today has a diagnosable mental illness, but only a quarter of them receive any kind of treatment. Of those who do receive help, about 75% of them receive it at school. Unfortunately, there is a nationwide shortage of school counselors, social workers, and school psychologists, and South Dakota is no exception.

The legacy of the Gitchie Manitou murders serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing trauma and providing adequate support for young victims. By breaking the silence and seeking help, individuals like Sandra Cheskey can find healing and regain their strength. The tragic events of November 1973 may have left scars, but they have also sparked a conversation and a commitment to change..