$15,000 reward offered for information in 1992 Yankton cold case

YANKTON, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - Nearly three decades later, the death of 19-year-old Tammy Haas still looms over the Yankton community.

Haas was reported missing in September of 1992 after she attended a homecoming party. Her body was found days later in a ravine. Haas’s boyfriend was charged with her death but later acquitted by a jury.

To this day, the case still raises questions. Now, investigators are hoping a $15,000 reward will lead them to some answers.

A life cut too short.

“She was just a sparkly girl. You know, always wanting to have fun. I don’t have daughters of my own, but you know I just thought she was so full of life. And it’s hard to see that she, you know all these years has been gone. It’s hard,” said Tammy’s Neighbor Arlette Heinen.

Heinen along with other friends and family wants to know what happened to the Yankton teen.

On what would have been Tammy’s 48th birthday, the FBI is offering up to $15,000 dollars for any information on her death.

“This investigation illuminates the fact that time does not deter law enforcement’s efforts and persistence to find truth and find justice,” said Michael Paul, FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge.

“There are people out there that know something about what happened to Tammy. And today we’re talking directly to them,” he added.

A year ago, Tammy’s gravesite was vandalized during a time when many of her friends and peers were in the area.

“It did indicate to us that someone in this area still is thinking about this and may have some knowledge about it because they went back and specifically damaged the grave, marking that talked about seeking truth,” said Matt Miller, FBI Special Agent.

That truth is something family and friends will not give up on.

“Those who are keeping this in the dark are only imprisoning themselves. You know the only way that you can be released of that, be set free is, to tell the truth,” said family friend Gary Idt.

Anyone with information about this event is asked to contact the FBI’s Sioux Falls office at 605-334-6881, the Yankton Police Department at 605-668-5210 or online at tips.fbi.gov.

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Authorities are offering a $15,000 reward for information regarding the 1992 death of a Yankton woman.

The FBI says the reward is to help investigators uncover exactly how Tammy Haas died.

Haas was 19 when she was reported missing after attending a homecoming party in September of 1992. Her body was discovered in a ravine a few days later. Her boyfriend, Erick Stuckel, was charged in her death in 1995, but was later found not guilty.

The case then went cold. It has garnered national attention, including a special on NBC’s Dateline.

On Tuesday, the FBI and the Yankton Police Department held a joint press conference announcing the reward. Yankton Police Commander Todd Brandt said the date - April 13, 2021 - would have been Tammy’s 48th birthday.

Brandt said police have received few tips on the case over the years. Her grave was vandalized last year, but the ensuing investigation led to no new leads.

Anyone with information about this event is asked to contact the FBI’s Sioux Falls office at 605-334-6881, the Yankton Police Department at 605-668-5210 or online at tips.fbi.gov.

Watch the full news conference here.

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