Overview
- Authorities located Elijah “Eli” McCumber Thursday morning in La Crescent after a homeowner reported seeing someone who matched his description and deputies responded to the address.
- McCumber had been last seen on Echo Valley Drive in southeastern Winona County on Saturday evening and was reported missing for more than five days before he was found.
- Search teams used K-9 units, drones, Minnesota State Patrol helicopter support, thermal imaging and property checks to comb wooded terrain and outbuildings.
- Winona County officials said they found signs suggesting McCumber may have been avoiding contact and cited concerns about his mental state and rugged terrain when asking the public to stay out of the woods.
- Investigators worked with the City of La Crosse Police Department and other regional agencies during the search and have not released further details about motive or condition beyond that McCumber was found safe.