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Fishermen’s Sonar Find Recovers Buick Tied to 1967 Missing Man

The remains have been sent to a medical examiner for identity and cause-of-death analysis after investigators matched the Buick’s VIN to Benn’s missing vehicle.

Overview

  • On August 9, two anglers used a consumer-grade sonar fish locator on the Mississippi River near Sartell to detect a submerged vehicle.
  • Divers recovered a 1963 Buick Electra and discovered human remains inside the car on August 13.
  • Stearns and Benton County sheriff’s offices confirmed the vehicle identification number matched Roy George Benn’s missing Buick.
  • Authorities have notified Benn’s next of kin with a request for familial DNA samples to aid identification efforts.
  • Officials cautioned that decades underwater may limit some forensic methods, and the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office is conducting analysis to confirm identity and determine cause of death.