Missing Southeast Minnesota Boater Found Dead in Mississippi River

Winona, MN (KROC-AM News)- Authorities are reporting a tragic end in the search for a missing southeast Minnesota boater on the Mississippi River. 

Read More: Missing Winona County Man Search Focuses on Mississippi River

The Buffalo County, WI Sheriff’s Office and Winona County Sheriff’s Office have been leading a search that began on Thursday.

Authorities responded to the report of an unattended boat being located in the backwaters of the river at Merrick State Park near Fountain City, WI. 

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Additional information released by the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office on Friday indicated a different boater found the missing man’s pontoon unattended in the main channel of the river and brought it to the location where it was found. 

Authorities began searching the main channel of the Mississippi on Friday. 

Body of Missing Utica Boater Recovered in Main Channel of Mississippi River North of Winona Friday

Friday night the Winona County Sheriff’s Office reported recovering the man’s body. He is identified as 60-year-old Brian Daley of Utica. 

Search and rescue teams found his body about 1.5 miles south of Lock and Dam 5, which is about 10 miles upriver from Winona. 

Both agencies offered their condolences to Daley’s family and friends and thanked members of the public and the numerous agencies who assisted with the search effort.