Body of missing boater found near Wever

FORT MADISON – Emergency responders have located and identified the missing boater from a Saturday evening boating accident.
According to a joint release from the Lee County Sheriff’s Department and Fort Madison Fire & Rescue, the body was located at approximately 10:15 a.m. Monday morning near Wever along the Mississippi River.
The identity of the victim has been confirmed, and family has been notified. However, family has requested that the identity be withheld at this time.
The release indicated that a search began on Saturday evening after a report of a capsized boat near the confluence of the Skunk River into the Mississippi River in north Lee County. Rescue boats from FMFD, Keokuk Volunteer Corp., and DNR officers were used to search for the victim. Lee County Sheriff’s Office provided deputies including a K9 to scour the land area near the site of the incident to help search.

“The recovery concludes a multi-agency search operation that began on the evening of June 21, following reports of a capsized boat,” the release indicated.
“The search was performed with the use of drones, K9s, and boats. We are deeply grateful for the cooperation and assistance of all the responding agencies, family, and volunteers who contributed to the search efforts. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the individual during this difficult time.”
The release, signed by Lee County Sheriff Elliott Vandenberg and Fort Madison Fire Chief Chad Hannum said no additional information will be released at this time out of respect to the family.
Hannum said at the onset of the incident the agencies worked together in the investigation and search.
“We had adequate resources, and we absolutely worked in tandem with each other on this incident,” Hannum said.