State’s Attorney: Esther Wolfe death was a ‘public execution’

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) - Esther Wolfe, the 25-year-old woman shot and killed last Wednesday (Feb. 21), was publicly executed, according to a release from the Pennington County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Ezekiel Mayweather was arrested in connection with the homicide and initially had a bond set at $50,000. However, Wednesday, Roetzel asked Magistrate Judge Todd Hyronimus to revoke that bond because the investigation shows Mayweather’s “involvement in Wolfe’s murder is far more extensive than initially presumed,” according to the release.

Roetzel says investigator findings show that Mayweather orchestrated Wolfe’s killing, provided the gun used, and directed another person to shoot her.

The judge agreed and revoked Mayweather’s bond.

As for the person who shot Wolfe, no arrest has been reported. Police did release a short video (posted below) showing a person running from the scene.

The motive for Wolfe’s death, according to the State’s Attorney’s Office, stems from the 2019 death of Mayweather’s brother, Michael; that some Mayweather family believe Wolfe was responsible for. Wolfe was killed on Michael’s birthday.

Michael Mayweather was 20 when he was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head outside a North Rapid home. Investigators said no gun was found near him. While initially investigated as a homicide, police ultimately ruled Michael Mayweather’s death a “self-inflicted gunshot wound.”

Ezekiel Mayweather faces a charge of aiding and abetting first-degree murder. This is a Class A felony that could potentially include capital punishment. However, Roetzel has not decided on seeking the death penalty at this time. If convicted, Mayweather would be sentenced to life in prison.

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