Neighbors React To Homicide In Their Backyards

SIOUX FALLS, SD - We now know the name of the victim killed in the latest Sioux Falls homicide.

Sioux Falls police say they found 75-year-old Maybelle Schein Saturday afternoon dead with obvious injuries. Authorities found the woman's car was missing from her home. Officials tracked it down in Madison, Wisconsin where the driver led authorities on a chase.

Officers arrested the driver, 41-year-old James Vernon McVay. He's being held on several charges unrelated to the homicide, including grand theft, eluding, and DWI. Authorities expect to file more charges against McVay.

KELOLAND News went to Schein's neighborhood this afternoon to find out how neighbors are handling news of woman's death.

Norie Place in Sioux Falls is a private drive of brown townhomes. It's the last place neighbors say they expected to see yellow tape.

"It's very quiet, very neighborly," neighbor Bill Kulhavy said. "They're all very nice people. They all, with the exception of a few, are pretty much elderly like we are or a little older, so you expect them to be quiet"

"Everybody seems friendly," neighbor Ashley Breck said. "It's nice, quiet and quaint."

Breck hopes it stays that way. The homicide down the street happened just three days after she and her family moved from Worthington, Minnesota.

"We have the kids, we want to make sure everything's safe," Breck said. "That's why we thought we were picking out somewhere good in town. We're on the west side, there's a little less crime. But that's not the case."

"It's kind of surprising because we don't expect to see three or four police cars here all at one time and a lot of people canvassing the neighborhood," Bill Kulhavy said.

Kulhavy says he wouldn't have moved here if he didn't think it was safe. And he says Saturday's homicide won't affect how he lives.

"I wanted to let everybody know I really appreciate the neighborhood," Kulhavy said.

"I'm thinking we should be able to stick it out," Breck said. "Hopefully, it's just a one-time thing."

Several neighbors didn't want to speak on camera, but they say they're thankful the police caught the suspect who stole Schein's car.