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Dennis Banks' Granddaugther's Body Discovered in Shallow Grave Near Bemidji, Minnesota; Rose Downwind was 31

BEMIDJI, MINNESOATA– Last night, December 9, 2015, police in Bemedji, Minneosta were led to a shallow grave containing the body of Rose Downwind by her ex-boyfriend, Marchello Anthony Cimmarusti, who turned himself to law enforcement on Monday evening. Downwind is the granddauther of American Indian Movement leader, Dennis Banks and daugthter of Darla Banks. Downwind was 31 and is survived by five children.

Bemidji Police held a press conference on Thursday where Police Chief Mike Mastin stated Cimmarusti gave a statement that led the police department to shallow four-feet deep grave northwest of Bemidji.

Cimmarusti, 40, and an accomplice, Brandon Joseph Rossbach, 31, of Bemidji, have been charged for second degree murder in Downwind’s death. Cimmarusti remained in custody since turning himself into authorities on Monday evening. Rossbach was arrested on Wednesday evening.

The Downwind’s body has been sent to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office for an autospy.

The discovery of Downwind’s body ends a long ordeal for her family, who has been searching for her since was determined to be missing. She was last seen at the Target store in Bemidji on October 19, 2015.

Dwa Weston, Downwind’s cousin and family spokesperson, made a statement at the Thursday press conferencce. She said: “We come to you today with great sadness in our hearts. This is not the ending that we had hoped and prayed for.

“We wish to thank the many, many searchers, supporters and law enforcement agencies for the countless hours they have put into finding Rose. Although we are hurt, we have peace knowing that Rose is with the Creator and that she will never be hurt again,” Weston said. “In her honor, we ask that you pay attention to other missing persons cases. There are a lot of people who go missing every day. Many don’t get the closure that we’ve had. We ask for your continued prayers as the family and the children move forward through this tragedy and as we move forward toward justice.”

Cimmarusti and Rossbach will be arraigned Friday in Beltrami County District Court.

Police Chief Mastin said the crime remains under investigation.

 

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