BEMIDJI — Late October is a time for many celebrations in coordination with Halloween, but for the families of two missing Bemidji teens, it marks the anniversaries of their loved ones' disappearances.
Nevaeh Kingbird of the Red Lake Nation was last seen Oct. 22, 2021. She was 15 years old. Jeremy Jourdain, of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, was last seen Oct. 31, 2016, leaving a family member's home on foot. He was 17.
The last sightings of both Indigenous teens were on the south side of Bemidji, known as Nymore, and both cases are still unsolved.
As the years drag on with few answers into their disappearances, the families are trying to find ways to cope and connect.
Teddi Wind is Nevaeh's mother. She said she spends much of her time alone in this stage of her grief.
"I spent the morning reflecting on memories of her," she wrote on a Facebook page dedicated to bringing Nevaeh home. "I went into her closet just to see if I could still smell her, I smelled her perfume."
Wind recently graduated from Leech Lake Tribal College with a degree in criminal justice — with plans to return to her education soon. For years, she has advocated for additional resources for the case, which so far has included at least a dozen ground and aerial searches.
"I feel like there could be more done for her case than it is, and I guess I have a hard time accepting that there isn't," she said in a Thursday, Oct. 22, phone interview.
The investigation into Nevaeh's disappearance began in late October 2021, when she was originally listed as a runaway last seen at the South View Terrace trailer park, a neighborhood within walking distance of her family's home.
"Nevaeh wouldn't just run away," Wind said, adding she was dedicated to her family and to her education.
Wind said she is also grieving the death of her mother, who she said died of cancer nearly a year ago.
"Nevaeh was very close to my mother, and my mom didn't get her cancer treatment done because she was grieving Nevaeh really bad, really hard," Wind said. "Grieving Nevaeh and grieving my mom at the same time has been a challenge for me."
In a Wednesday news release, the Bemidji Police Department stated it continues to follow leads in the case.
"With the fall season upon us, and with the Minnesota State Deer season approaching, the Bemidji Police Department reminds everyone to remain watchful and vigilant while outdoors and to report any suspicious activity or property immediately," the release said.
On the day of her disappearance, Nevaeh was believed to be wearing either a black zip-up hoodie, or a red sweatshirt with a Chicago Bulls-style logo with a headdress, along with blue skinny jeans, a white undershirt, and black and red Nike slides.
Jeremy's mom Theresa Jourdain said Jeremy is her youngest and biggest baby as she recalled his 9-pound birth weight.
She said the trauma of the disappearance, and the subsequent searches, have had lasting impacts on her family in the nearly 10 years since he was last seen.
"One of my nieces, she can't go in the woods anymore," she said. "I got stuck under a tree on the search. That was horrifying."
Jourdain said Jeremy loved playing basketball and spending time with his grandparents, who were raising him. Jourdain said the pain of his loss isn't just felt on anniversaries or awareness days.
"It's not just that day, you know, it's every f****** day," she said.
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women 218 is hosting a candlelight vigil for Nevaeh and Jeremy's families and community 6-7 p.m. Saturday at Paul Bunyan Park.
Fundraising is underway to support an upcoming social and round dance for Jeremy, slated to begin at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at the Veterans Memorial Building, 16599 69th Ave. NW, Cass Lake.
The state's Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Office posted $10,000 rewards for information on Nevaeh and Jeremy's disappearances. Tips can be submitted to the Bemidji Police Department or CrimeStoppers of Minnesota.
-
In this contributed essay, Majority in the Middle Executive Director Shannon Watson explores the people who bridge people together, even in turbulent political times. -
An ongoing study from the Center of Rural Policy and Development found the importance of local college options and high school professional and technical classes. -
Rock Ridge and Pequot Lakes tennis players also qualified for the individual tournament, as did athletes from Staples-Motley and Crookston. -
Demuth argued that Klobuchar is aligned with Gov. Tim Walz and would govern similarly, while Klobuchar argued that Demuth would not stand up to President Donald Trump. -
During the Phenology Report for the week of Oct. 20, 2026, Staff Phenologist John Latimer remarks on migrating birds, the taste of cranberries, and first frosts.
