Private investigator on death of Ryan Pyle: ‘I believe he was murdered’

Posted on Oct 6, 2022

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — A private investigator hired to work on the case of human remains found near Snake Creek Recreation Area near Platte in 2020 is convinced it’s murder.

He’s talking to KELOLAND Investigates as we work to find answers about the “Mystery Death Along the Missouri.”

Yankton-based private investigator Marty O’Connor is a former police officer and Marine who has undergone FBI training.

He’s had all kinds of cases in his decades on the job as a PI, but this one, the death of Ryan Pyle, troubles him.

“I’ve gone through this case for a number of months. When it comes to things like this, we just can’t overlook it. I think there are a lot of mistakes here,” O’Connor said.

O’Connor was originally hired by Pyle’s family to look into his death. Pyle’s remains were found near Snake Creek Recreation Area along the Missouri River in November of 2020.

“Where’s his money? Where are his keys? His dog was found. He loved that dog. His backpack was never found. His tournament Frisbees were never found. No clothes, no shoes,” O’Connor said.

Shortly before his car was found in a cornfield, with some of its contents scattered around it, a local resident called in to report a hitchhiker.

“The sheriff goes out and they look for this hitchhiker and can’t find him. In fact, they make two attempts to go out and try to find this hitchhiker, two different times–even searched buildings and couldn’t find this hitchhiker. So the hitchhiker either got a ride somewhere or there wasn’t a hitchhiker,” O’Connor said.

Coming up tonight Monday on KELOLAND News at Ten, we look at the strange circumstances surrounding Pyle’s death and how forensic evidence points to foul play.

Angela Kennecke: Tell me why you keep coming back.

Brian Pyle, Ryan’s dad: I love him. He was my boy and I raised him. And I want answers and I want to know what the authorities know. And I just want some transparency and I just want some answers, that’s all. It won’t bring him back. I think something really wrong happened here.

KELOLAND Investigates met with Ryan’s family on their third trip to South Dakota from their home in Washington State. They are struggling to get answers about what happened to Ryan.

Original article: Private investigator on death of Ryan Pyle: ‘I believe he was murdered’