Families still searching for missing Spirit Lake citizens

Frier-Posey hasn’t seen her sister’s smile in person since January 2024, when she was reported missing. “I just want people to know that she had such a beautiful personality. She was so funny,” Frier-Posey said. “Every day she would call just to talk.”

Frier-Posey is nearly 20 years older than her sister, who came as a delightful surprise after having all brothers. “It was such a big thing to have a little sister come into the world,” she said. “I took care of her like she was my own child.”

When Posey had her own child, Amani, Frier-Posey was at her side. “One of my best memories is when I got to be there when her baby was born. I got to cut the cord. It was a huge thing watching her bring life into the world,” Frier-Posey said. “I would’ve never thought a year later we would be out looking for her.”

Posey was last seen by her family on Jan. 3 and hasn’t been seen in public since Jan. 5. After her disappearance, law enforcement searched water and land, and friends and family organized searches and walks.

Frier-Posey said when Posey was young they would visit national parks, go swimming and make spaghetti, some of Posey’s favorite activities even as an adult.

Frier-Posey said her sister was a dedicated mother who wouldn’t have willingly left her baby behind.

Amani, now 2, is being cared for by her maternal grandparents. Frier-Posey said this has helped them cope through the disappearance of their daughter.

To outsiders, it may look like nothing is being done, since the case remains unsolved, said Frier-Posey. But she believes the FBI agent assigned to the case “really cares about my sister,” and she says a lot has happened in the past few months that she can’t comment on to protect the investigation.

But there is one thing she said she is ready to talk about.

She said Posey was trying to leave her boyfriend before she disappeared. Her boyfriend, D’Angelo Hunt, is Amani’s father.

The Fort Totten Police Department arrested Hunt on Oct. 14, 2023, after Posey filed a domestic violence report, according to Nikki Lopez, the department’s public information officer. Lopez said he was transferred to BIA Corrections and charged that same day.

The Spirit Lake Tribal Court did not respond by press time to questions about what happened with the charges. Frier-Posey said the charges were dropped after her sister decided against pursuing them. Hunt’s arrest occurred about three months before Posey disappeared.

Frier-Posey said her sister would text her when she felt unsafe, and Frier-Posey would come pick her up. Frier-Posey said her sister told her things were getting worse since she’d had her baby.

Hunt was reportedly the last person to have seen Posey. Buffalo’s Fire tried reaching Hunt through Facebook and family members but did not hear from him by press time.

A media representative for the Bureau of Indian Affairs confirmed its Missing and Murdered Unit is assisting the FBI and tribal authorities in an investigation. The spokesperson could not comment on whether there have been any arrests or suspects, since the investigation is ongoing and the FBI is the lead investigating agency.

“The BIA MMU remains steadfast in its mission to support and advocate for justice on behalf of the victims and their families,” the spokesperson said in an email statement. “The BIA MMU is committed to doing everything within their capacity to assist in bringing answers and justice to the families involved.”

The FBI did not respond to a request for comment.

“Jemini’s spirit remains a part of us,” Vicki Alberts, public information officer for the Spirit Lake Tribe, said in an email. “She was, and always will be, a daughter, a mother, a loved member of the Spirit Lake Tribe. We continue to say her name, to lift her memory, and to support her family in every way we can.”

Alberts also wants people to remember another missing person from the Spirit Lake community. Two months after Posey disappeared, Isaac Hunt — her boyfriend’s brother — was reported missing.

“Isaac is more than a missing person — he is a son, a brother, a father, and a member of our Spirit Lake family,” Alberts said in the same email. “We continue to hold him close in our hearts and prayers. His absence reminds us every day that our work is not finished. We will not stop until Isaac is brought home. His story continues to guide our efforts and strengthen our resolve to make sure no one from our community is ever forgotten.”

According to a missing persons flyer, Isaac Hunt was last seen on March 8 leaving his father’s home in a brown Chevy Tahoe.

“His life matters to all of us,” his aunt Phyllis DuBois said, adding that he’s somebody’s son, a father to four children who miss him dearly and a good friend to those who knew him. She describes her nephew as outgoing, attentive and friendly.

The families of both Posey and Hunt ask the community to come forward with information and to continue praying for them. Information about either case can be sent to the FBI through its online tip form.

A search for Posey will be held on Saturday, Oct. 25. Frier-Posey encourages volunteers to show up in support. She said she is working on releasing a flyer with more details.

A search for Isaac Hunt will be held Nov. 8-9. DuBois said a flyer will be sent out before the search with more details. The search is open to community members and volunteers.

Frier-Posey said she hopes she can find her sister to finally have closure. “We are looking for Jemini,” she said, “but we are looking for [Isaac Hunt] too. They both need to be found.”

The Spirit Lake Tribe is offering a $20,000 reward “for information leading to their recovery.” A GoFundMe has been set up to help fund search efforts for Posey and care for her baby.