In the late 1990s Rapid City, South Dakota, a string of unexplained deaths brought attention to Rapid Creek after several Native American and homeless men were found dead along the waterway. One of those named was Allen Hough, 42. Others found in or near Rapid Creek between 1998 and December 2000 included Ben Long Wolf, George Hatton, Royce Yellow Hawk, Randell Two Crow, Lauren Two Bulls, Dirk Bartling, Arthur Chamberlain, Timothy Bull Bear Sr., Lonnie Isham, and Wilbur G. Johnson.

Community members raised alarm that the deaths were not fully investigated and pointed to rumors of harassment by young white individuals targeting homeless people along the creek. Volunteer patrols were organized by Lakota resident Stacy Low Dog to improve safety. Law enforcement at the time, including Pennington County Sheriff Don Holloway, reported that leads were followed and no evidence of criminal activity was found, so the deaths were not classified as unsolved crimes.

The historical pattern of violence against Lakota people in the Black Hills and concerns from families continued to fuel distrust of the official conclusions. The Operation Lady Justice Task Force was later created in Rapid City to address cold cases involving American Indian and Alaska Native victims, and community members urged that the men found along Rapid Creek be reviewed.