Neligh Fishermen Discover Female Body; Boyfriend Missing

Santee Tribal Police continue their search on Tuesday in the Missouri River for Artuoro Rouillard, 38 of Santee. His girlfriend's body was discovered on Saturday by two Neligh fishermen. (Cory Loomis/Knox County News)

Two Neligh fishermen discovered the body of a Santee woman Saturday morning which has led to full-scale search and rescue effort in the Missouri River for her boyfriend.

Artuoro Rouillard, 38 of Santee, is still missing. Searchers confirmed Tuesday afternoon to the Knox County News that they remain hopeful that they will find him alive. He was last seen around 2:30 a.m. Saturday fishing with Adrienne Denney. The pair were riding a four-wheeler, which officials said they believe went off the bluff and into the river.

The Neligh fishermen found Denney's body on Saturday and called law enforcement at 9:21 a.m. One of the men said they spotted her sitting upright against a bluff with her legs in the water.

“It was crazy. I was like, ‘Is that what I think that is?” said the fisherman, who asked not to be identified. “The water was only 49 degrees.”

He went on to say that there were no signs of any other people near her body. He did not see any other clothing, tracks or the four-wheeler.

The fisherman said he didn’t even realize until the next day that there was another person involved in the accident. He saw law enforcement canvassing the area again Sunday morning when he stopped to inquire about the situation and was told the woman’s boyfriend remained unaccounted for.

“I had no idea there was someone else missing,” he said.

​Law enforcement and volunteers have been searching for Rouillard since discovering his girlfriend’s body. Rouillard is approximately 5-feet-5-inches tall and weighs 249 pounds. The search area is along the Missouri River about three miles from the Santee boat dock.

Any information can be directed to the Santee Tribal Police Department at 402-857-2527.