According to Powder River County Undersheriff Brett Tabolt, "Broadus, Powder River County is a quiet, easy-going community. Mostly good people live there and the fact that a homicide like this could take place there is very disturbing. And the fact that we didn't have an answer to it is even more disturbing."

By all accounts, 18-year-old Denise Lynn Russell, a green-eyed Native American girl had a big heart, big dreams, and her whole life ahead of her. Tabolt says, "She was a very bright, intelligent girl and probably had a million choices in front of her."

Though 12 years have passed since her murder, Russell's tragic story is never far from lead investigator, Brett Tabolt's mind. "In 1997, my oldest daughter was 15 years old and I had a younger daughter as well, so yeah, there was a personal connection there as well."

She was last seen walking along Highway 212 in front of the post office in Busby on the afternoon of May 2nd, 1997. Though locals say its not uncommon for people to walk and hitch hike along this stretch of the Northern Cheyenne Reservation, Tabolt finds it troubling a young woman could vanish in broad daylight with no eye-witnesses to date.

"Somebody out there knows the answer to this problem. Somebody has the key to this puzzle."

Russell's body was discovered some 50 miles away from the Busby post office in an abandoned barn in a remote part of Powder River County. "The people involved had an intimate knowledge of this area. There is evidence to indicate that this was a violent death."

After well over 200 interviews and binders upon binders full of clues, the case turned cold. But finding justice for Russell remains a driving force in Tabolt's life.

"Maybe somebody's conscious gets to bothering them and they come forward. That's what I'm hoping for out of this. Not just for us and our county, but for the mother, Kathryn Russell as well. She deserves peace of mind."

Tabolt says there is evidence recovered from the crime scene that has yet to point to a killer or killer. But, recent advances in technology may soon change that. "Technology is evolving on a daily basis and a month, 6 months a year, something may come up that will give us the clue. There is always hope."

Tabolt believes after 12 years, relationships may have changed, allegiances altered, and if someone out there is holding the killer's secret, now may be the time to come forward and collect a $25,000 dollar reward.

"The family deserves an answer to their questions. Think about how you would feel if these circumstances were placed upon you. Help somebody get closure. And again, think about how you would feel if this was you."

The FBI is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Russell's killer or killers. Contact the Billings FBI office at (406) 248-8487 or the Powder River Sheriff's Office at (406) 436-2333.