Authorities in Minnesota are investigating the suspicious death of a 37-year-old mother of three whose body was discovered in a roadside ditch.
Rikki Skog was found dead near Deer River on Thursday, July 16, according to a statement from the Itasca County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators said Skog had last been seen the previous day, Wednesday, July 15. While officials have not released details about how she died, they confirmed that the circumstances surrounding her death are being treated as suspicious.
As detectives work to piece together what happened, Skog’s grieving family is urging anyone with information to come forward.
“This is absolutely horrendous an beyond sad,” her cousin, Derick Skog, wrote on Facebook. “No one deserves this.”
Skog was the mother of three daughters and had openly documented her journey toward sobriety on social media over the past several years.
In March, she shared a photo celebrating her recovery and wrote simply, “Winning at life.”
Her posts also revealed just how much encouragement she received from those closest to her, particularly her teenage daughter. Skog frequently spoke about her children as the reason she continued fighting through difficult times.
In November 2024, she shared an emotional letter written by her daughter, who reminded her that she was loved and capable of overcoming the challenges she faced.
“I know time’s are hard right now, but I believe in you like nobody else ever will!! I love you mom!!!” her daughter wrote. “And since you don’t get the appraisal you deserve, I’m here to deliver it from everyone!!!”
The teenager went on to encourage her mother to take the first steps toward recovery.
“I know you can beat this struggle you are going through and I know it’s scary,” she wrote. “But once you take those first few steps in your recovery it will all start blossoming from there!!”
Now, Skog’s loved ones are searching for answers as authorities continue investigating the final hours before her death.
Anyone who saw Skog on or after Wednesday, July 15, or who may have information that could help investigators, is urged to contact the Itasca County Sheriff’s Office at 218-326-3477 and select Option 1.
