Indigenous Murder: Justice in Cold Cases of Marie Walkingstick Pheasant

Indigenous Murder Cold Case Solved

Apr 04, 2025

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🌲 A Quiet Town, A Burning Mystery

Swain County, North Carolina — nestled in the breathtaking Great Smoky Mountains — is known for its serene forests, winding trails, and close-knit community. But beneath the surface of this peaceful town lay a haunting secret that smoldered for over a decade.

On December 29, 2013, a chilling discovery shattered the silence. 🚨 A burned vehicle was found near Big Cove Road, deep within the Qualla Boundary, home to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Inside the scorched remains of the car was the body of Marie Walkingstick Pheasant, a devoted wife, mother, and member of the Cherokee community. ❤️🌸

What at first looked like a tragic accident was soon confirmed to be something far worse: murder. 🩸 And for more than 10 years, Marie's loved ones would wait… and wait… and wait for answers. That is, until 2025 — when justice finally came knocking. ⚖️⏳

💔 Who Was Marie Walkingstick Pheasant?

Marie was more than a name in a headline — she was a mother, a wife, a sister, and a friend. She had strong ties to her tribal community, a kind heart, and dreams like anyone else. Her life was full of love, laughter, and the everyday moments that weave a human story. 🌿💞

When she disappeared in late December 2013, her sudden silence left a void that her family could not fill. Questions circled like vultures: Where had she gone? Why wasn’t anyone talking? And who would do such a thing?

🚗 December 29, 2013: The Day Everything Changed

It was the heart of winter, the air crisp, and the landscape barren. Locals near Big Cove Road spotted something unusual: a vehicle engulfed in flames. 🔥 Firefighters arrived to extinguish the blaze, but what they discovered afterward turned the scene into a nightmare.

Inside the car was the charred body of Marie Walkingstick Pheasant. The fire had consumed much of the evidence, but the truth couldn’t be completely erased by smoke and flame. 🚒💔

An autopsy revealed the horrifying truth: Marie hadn’t died from the fire. She had suffered multiple stab wounds to the neck and abdomen. She was murdered — deliberately and violently — before her body was burned in a clear effort to hide the crime. 😢🔪

🧊 A Case Gone Cold

Despite the severity of the crime, the investigation stalled. There were no immediate arrests, no clear witnesses, and no apparent motive. Marie’s family was devastated. For years, they mourned without closure. Every unanswered call, every family gathering without her, every sleepless night — a reminder of the silence justice had left behind. 😔📞

Meanwhile, Ernest D. Pheasant Sr., Marie’s husband, remained a free man. He lived his life as if nothing had happened, all while the memory of Marie’s murder weighed on the community. Suspicion lingered, but evidence didn’t speak… yet. 🕵️‍♀️🧱

🧬 2022: The Missing and Murdered Unit Steps In

The breakthrough came thanks to the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Missing and Murdered Unit (MMU) — a group created to address the epidemic of violence against Indigenous people in the United States. 🇺🇸🪶

In April 2022, MMU reopened Marie’s case as part of a broader initiative to investigate cold cases involving Native American victims. Their goal? To bring long-overdue justice to families who had been overlooked or forgotten. 🌎🕯️

Through modern forensic techniques, DNA analysis, and a fresh set of eyes, the team began piecing together what had happened to Marie — and who had done it.

🧢 The Cap That Told the Truth

Near the original crime scene, investigators had found a baseball cap back in 2013. It had been dismissed at the time due to limited technology — but now, thanks to advances in touch DNA extraction, the hat revealed its secrets. 🧢🔬

Inside the cap, forensic scientists discovered DNA that matched Ernest D. Pheasant Sr. — Marie’s husband. The evidence tied him directly to the location where Marie’s body was burned. This was the smoking gun investigators needed. 💥🧠

As they dug deeper, a disturbing picture emerged. Ernest had not only been abusive, but controlling. Witnesses who had been afraid to speak out years ago were finally willing to testify, now that the wheels of justice had begun to turn. 🚨🗣️

🏡 The Truth Unfolds

Investigators believe Ernest murdered Marie at their home, then transported her body to the remote Big Cove location. There, he placed her in the vehicle and set it ablaze, hoping the fire would destroy all evidence of the crime.

But he underestimated both technology and tenacity. 🔍🚓

The meticulous work of forensic experts, case reviewers, and tribal law enforcement painted a clear, horrifying timeline. Ernest had committed a premeditated, deliberate act of violence against his wife — and tried to bury the truth in flames. 🔥💀

🧑‍⚖️ August 2024: A Guilty Plea

Facing overwhelming evidence, Ernest D. Pheasant Sr. had no choice but to confess. On August 16, 2024, he pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, admitting that he willfully, deliberately, and maliciously killed Marie.

This plea avoided a trial but secured a powerful outcome: life in prison without the possibility of parole. 🛑⛓️

📅 April 3, 2025: Justice, At Last

In April 2025, nearly 12 years after Marie’s tragic death, a judge sentenced Ernest to life in prison. For her family, it marked the end of a painful chapter — and the beginning of healing. 🙏📜

Attorney General Merrick Garland, speaking on the importance of the case, said:

“Marie Walkingstick Pheasant was murdered nearly 12 years ago. Thanks to the tireless work of federal law enforcement, we have brought her killer to justice and provided answers to her loved ones.”

👥 A Victory for Indigenous Women — and Their Families

Marie’s case is not just about one woman. It’s a powerful symbol in the fight against the epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIW) across North America. 🎗️

Thousands of Native women go missing or are murdered every year. Many of their cases go unsolved, uninvestigated, or underreported. The reopening and successful prosecution of Marie’s case signals a shift — one that says Indigenous lives matter, and their families deserve the truth. ❤️🪶

💡 Why This Case Matters

Marie’s story is one of heartbreak, but also resilience — both from her family and from the investigators who refused to give up.

This case shows us that:

🧬 Forensic science can solve even decade-old crimes.
🤝 Partnerships between tribal, federal, and local law enforcement are essential.
🕊️ Families deserve closure, no matter how much time has passed.
🧭 Justice delayed doesn’t have to mean justice denied.

🕊️ A Final Word: Remembering Marie

Let us not remember Marie Walkingstick Pheasant solely for the way she died — but for the life she lived. For the love she gave. For the community she cherished. 🌸

And let her legacy remind us all to speak out, to fight for the forgotten, and to never stop demanding justice — no matter how many years go by. ⏳❤️