BCA investigating 'suspicious' death of Deer River woman found in ditch

BALL CLUB — The death of a woman whose body was discovered Thursday, July 16, lying in a ditch near Ball Club is being investigated as suspicious.

The Itasca County Sheriff's Office received the report at 6:59 p.m. The body was found along County Road 39, north of Ball Club near Deer River. The woman, identified as 37-year-old Rikki Skog, was pronounced dead at the scene.

In a news release, the sheriff's office reported that preliminary information indicates Skog was last reported to have been seen on Wednesday.

Anyone who may have seen Skog on or after July 15 — or who has information that may assist investigators — is asked to contact the Itasca County Sheriff's Office at 218-326-3477, Option 1.

Due to the circumstances surrounding the incident, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Crime Scene Team was requested to assist with processing the scene and the ongoing investigation.

The investigation remains active, and authorities are not releasing additional information as of Friday afternoon. More will be released as it becomes available and as the investigation allows, the sheriff's office stated.

Assisting at the scene were the Deer River Police Department, Leech Lake Tribal Police and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.