More than 30 years ago, a night out in Aberdeen, South Dakota ended in silence. On April 7, 1993, 42-year-old mother of three Monica Bercier-Wickre went out to a local bar called The Body Shop. It was a normal night—one she had no reason to believe would be her last. At some point that evening, Monica left with a couple she knew and a man she didn’t. She never made it home. Two months later, her body was discovered in the James River. But instead of answers, her recovery only deepened the mystery. The condition of her remains made it impossible to determine exactly what happened to her—and despite decades of investigation, no one has ever been held accountable. In this episode of Vanished Voices, we take a deep, story-driven look at Monica’s life, her final night, and the long, painful aftermath her family has endured. From her roots on the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa reservation to the unanswered questions surrounding the people she was last seen with, this case is filled with gaps that have never been fully explained. We explore what investigators knew, what may have been lost over time, and how turnover, limited forensic evidence, and early investigative gaps may have impacted the case. We also examine how Monica’s story fits into the broader crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, where cases are too often overlooked, underreported, or left unresolved. But at the center of this story is Monica—not just a case, but a mother, a daughter, a woman who loved music, who showed up for her family, and who was excited to become a grandmother. Her daughter, Tonya, is still searching for answers. Her family is still waiting. And someone still knows what happened. A $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction in Monica’s case. If you have any information about Monica Bercier-Wickre’s disappearance or murder, please contact the Brown County Sheriff’s Office at 605-626-7100. To see more about this case, as well as the sources used to create this episode, visit our Blog Here. You can also submit tips related to missing and murdered Indigenous persons through the Bureau of Indian Affairs Missing and Murdered Unit: Call: 1-833-560-2065 Text: 847411 Email: OJS_MMU@bia.gov If you were in Aberdeen in April of 1993… if you were at The Body Shop… if you remember anything about the people Monica left with… even the smallest detail could matter. Because after more than three decades, this case is still waiting for the one piece that changes everything. And Monica’s story deserves to be heard. To see more about this case, as well as the sources used to create this episode, visit our Blog Here. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
