Man charged after South Dakota man’s decomposing body found sticking out of garment bag

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A South Dakota man’s body was found sticking out of a garment bag, and authorities said the rug underneath it appeared soaked with dried blood and maggots and flies surrounded the body.

A 29-year-old Sioux Falls man was charged in connection with 63-year-old Nigussie Bulti’s death on Thursday. Bulti’s body was found in his apartment after he missed an appointment. Court documents say Morningstar Jewett admitted assaulting Bulti with a piece of wood, and stomping on his head in a fight. Jewett had been in custody in a different case since the day before Bulti’s body was found Wednesday.

The officers who went there said they could smell decomposition when they entered the building. Investigators believe he had been dead for about a week.

July 11, 2023