County suspends search for missing Hill City man

A week after 86-year old Ronald Deloss Blachard went missing, the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office announced it is suspending the full ground and air search. 

The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation is actively working this case. No further details are being released at this time. 

Blachard arrived last Saturday to his summer home in Hill City from Arizona. He was last seen at his home  the evening of Monday, April 6, and was reported missing around 10 a.m. April 8. 

“They came out to check on him on Wednesday and his cars are there, but he’s not there,” said Keith Fenner of the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office. 

There was an immediate concern for his safety, resulting in a multi-agency search and concurrent investigation.

According to the press release, Blachard is very active and known to frequently walk with the aid of a walking stick along Deerfield Road and the Mickelson Trail. 

The multi-agency search was being conducted from High Country Guest Ranch outside of Hill City. Searchers utilized the CalTopo app as well as dog teams to help with the efforts.

“Everybody who checks in with us, have this CalTopo app, and it tracks all our movements, and shows exactly where we’ve searched,” said Fenner. “It really helps these guys know where to focus the search.”

During the search Friday, James Dietz, operations leader for Pennington County Search and Rescue said, “Investigators are working all the avenues. We’ve got boots on the ground actively searching.”

Blachard is a white male, 86 years of age, 6-1 and weighing 200 pounds. It is unknown what he may be wearing.

If you have seen Blachard or have any information on his whereabouts contact Pennington County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Marc Davies at 605-394-6115. 

The Pennington County Sheriffs Office would like to thank the multiple agencies that have assisted in the extensive search, including Hill City Volunteer Fire Department, Hill City Ambulance, Custer County Search and Rescue, South Dakota Wildland Fire, Colorado Four Mile District, Mystic Ranger Forest Service, Lawrence County Search and Rescue, Rockerville Volunteer Fire Department, US. .Forest Service, Pennington County Emergency Management and Civil Air Patrol.