Meeks closes Lightning Medicine Cloud investigation

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August 22, 2012

Meeks closes Lightning Medicine Cloud investigation

By BRAD KELLAR Herald-Banner Staff The Herald-Banner Wed Aug 22, 2012, 09:37 AM CDT

GREENVILLE — Hunt County Sheriff Randy Meeks announced Tuesday that he was ending his department’s investigation into the deaths of a rare white buffalo and his mother, claiming the animals died of natural causes.

During an afternoon press conference Meeks said according to a veterinarian’s report, both buffalo appeared to have died from a condition known as “blackleg” and that two other buffalo have died at the Lakota Ranch near Greenville since Lightning Medicine Cloud’s body was discovered.

And, contrary to widespread reports in other media, Meeks said the evidence revealed Lightning Medicine Cloud had not been skinned.

“We are officially closing this case,” Meeks said.

Meeks later told the Herald-Banner that no criminal charges are expected to be filed in connection with the investigation.

“We’ve talked to the DA and he didn’t see anything criminal done here,” Meeks said.

Arby Little Soldier, owner of the Lakota Ranch where Lightning Medicine Cloud was born and was found deceased, could not be reached for comment on the matter Tuesday.

Meeks said that his investigators interviewed more than two dozen people concerning Lightning Medicine Cloud’s death and have looked at possible motives including whether it was a hate crime, vengeance or due to hunters.

Meeks said deputies were dispatched to the Lakota Ranch west of Greenville on May 3 in connection with the deaths of both buffalo.

“Lightning Medicine Cloud was deceased at least six days and buried for three days prior to our notification,” Meeks said. “The remains were decomposed. We have photographs indicating Lightning Medicine Cloud was not skinned. The photographs depict skin and hair on the remains and the veterinarian advised there was a lot of skin left on the remains.”

Meeks said the deaths were believed to have been due to natural causes.

“Information obtained during the investigation indicated many of the signs and symptoms exhibited by the buffalo were similar to a bacterial disease called blackleg,” Meeks said. “The investigation also revealed two more buffalo have died at the Lakota Ranch since the passing of Lightning Medicine Cloud and its mother.”

According to the University of Arkansas Department of Agriculture website, blackleg is a bacterial infection that affects cattle worldwide and generally affects animals between six months and two years of age, usually in rapidly growing calves.

Little Soldier said he had found Lightning at his ranch on April 30 and Buffalo Woman the next day.

Little Soldier, great-great-great grandson of Sitting Bull, said that the birth of a white buffalo is a one-in-10-million occurrence, and fulfilled a prophecy that has lived in the hearts of many Native Americans for centuries. Lightning Medicine Cloud was born May 12, 2011 on the ranch. Thousands of people came to the ranch in June of last year, for a traditional naming ceremony.

The status of the money which had been collected for a reward for information leading to the arrest of a suspect or suspects connected to the deaths of the buffalo was unknown as of Tuesday.