Overview
- Brian Daley, 60, of Utica, Minnesota, was first reported missing on Sept. 30 after deputies found his vehicle and began a water search that led investigators to his unattended pontoon.
- Search teams learned the pontoon had run out of gas and was reported floating in the river’s main channel before a passerby tied it off near Merrick State Park.
- Winona County (Minn.) and Buffalo County (Wis.) sheriff’s offices coordinated the response with multiple agencies and later shifted search efforts to underwater sonar and remote vehicles.
- Authorities asked members of the public to report any contact with Daley, especially anyone who picked up a stranded boater or saw someone walking near Merrick State Park, and they are not accepting volunteer searchers.
- Officials reported that Daley’s body was recovered on Friday about 1.5 miles south of Lock and Dam 5 and said they will release additional information if appropriate after the investigation is complete.