CLARK, S.D. — The quiet community of Clark is reeling after the gruesome death of 64-year-old Marlene Fladland, a beloved and well-known member of the small South Dakota town, who authorities say was murdered by her own son.
Police discovered Marlene’s body Tuesday in the front yard of her home, a residence now surrounded by crime scene tape and disbelief. Her 36-year-old son, Bowen Fladland, has been arrested and charged with her murder in a case that has stunned both residents and law enforcement.
According to court documents, Bowen Fladland allegedly kneeled on his mother’s neck until she died and then proceeded to decapitate her. He is being held in the Codington County Jail on a $500,000 cash-only bond. The documents also reveal this is not the first time he had assaulted his mother.
For those who knew Marlene, the news has been difficult to comprehend.
“I was just devastated,” said Sandy Herrick, a neighbor and friend. “It gave me the creeps. I was very unsettled. I had a hard time sleeping that night.”
Former Clark County Sheriff Rob McGraw echoed the shock shared by many in the tight-knit town.
“Stuff like this just doesn’t happen in a small community like this,” McGraw said. “From what I know about it, this is probably one of the worst [cases] I’ve seen.”
Marlene Fladland was known around town for her warmth, kindness, and gentle spirit. Herrick remembers her as someone who always greeted neighbors with a smile and a friendly word.
“She was such a sweet person,” Herrick said. “When I walked by, she would always say ‘Hi’ to me, and I’d say, ‘How are you doing today?’ And she’d say, ‘Good.’”
Herrick recalled their frequent chats and Marlene’s generosity with her garden.
“She always said, ‘Do you want a flower?’ And I’d say, ‘No, the flowers look good at your place. I have flowers. I want to see your flowers at your place,’” Herrick added.
As investigators continue to piece together what led to this tragedy, residents are left trying to come to terms with a loss that feels both personal and deeply unsettling. For many, the senseless violence committed against a woman known for her gentle nature has shaken their sense of safety.
The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation is assisting in the ongoing investigation. No motive has been publicly released, and the timeline leading up to the murder remains under review.
In the days ahead, the town of Clark will grapple with its grief, remembering Marlene not for the horror that ended her life, but for the quiet joy and kindness she brought to those around her.
“She didn’t deserve this,” Herrick said. “No one does. But especially not someone as kind as Marlene.”