3 months later, family of Spirit Lake hit-and-run victim still searching for answers

ST. MICHAEL, N.D. — A family searching for answers offered an emotional plea for justice in the death of 46-year-old William “Billy” Foote.

His body was found in some brush May 29, the apparent victim of a hit-and-run crash. The last place he was seen alive was at St. Michael Catholic Church on the Spirit Lake Reservation when he walked away after a prayer service.

“A lot of hurt, anger, questions,” said his sister, Colleen Anderson.

Those are the emotions she deals with every day. She described her brother as a loving and genuine person who was all about family. He was a father to three teenage boys and an uncle to many.

“Always there for you if you needed him, no question, he gave anything if he had to help,” Anderson said.

On May 27, Foote attended a prayer service at the church for his aunt and cousin who had died. After the service, he wanted some alone time and went for a walk. The next day, he never showed up for the funeral.

“We all looked at each other and asked our family. … We just started questioning things,” Anderson said.

Someone on a walk found Foote’s body two days later, about a mile from the church. It was covered in brush.

The family said police told them it appeared he had been hit by a car.

The FBI, which has jurisdiction over crimes committed on reservations, declined to comment for this story.

The family shared pictures of a car being impounded. Its windshield was smashed. The family said they were told it was seized as part of the investigation.

“I hope they see him every day, I hope they feel the pain,” Anderson said.

Foote’s family said people know what happened. By sharing their grief, they hope police will get the big break they need so the healing process can begin.

“It’s our everyday lives that we have to wonder who and why. Those questions being answered could put our family at a little bit of ease,” Anderson said.

Anyone with information about the deadly hit-and-run accident is asked to call police.

Matt Henson is an Emmy award-winning reporter/photographer/editor for WDAY. Prior to joining WDAY in 2019, Matt was the main anchor at WDAZ in Grand Forks for four years.