UPDATE: This story was updated at 10:20 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, after authorities reported finding Samuel Waln's vehicle and a body nearby.
WADENA — The body of who is believed to be a 30-year-old Wadena man was discovered Wednesday, July 16, by a search and rescue team in rural Sebeka.
The sheriff's office provided an update in a news release after asking for the public's help to find Samuel Waln a day earlier. Waln was last seen traveling eastbound on Highway 10 in Wadena the afternoon of Saturday, July 12.
The sheriff's office received a report Wednesday that a vehicle matching the description of Waln's white 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee was found. Sheriff's deputies arrived at the site and confirmed it was the correct vehicle. A search of the area revealed the body of a man located 240 feet above the ground in a tower.
Because of the height of the tower, the sheriff's office requested assistance from an urban search and rescue team. Minnesota Task Force 1, which is part of the State Fire Marshal's Office, responded and recovered the dead man. The body was transported to Midwest Medical Examiner's Office for autopsy and official identification.
According to the release, the sheriff's office believes this was an isolated incident and there is no danger to danger to the public or foul play suspected.
Also assisting at the scene were the Minnesota State Patrol, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Wadena County Highway Department, Karvonen Funeral Home and Ken's Towing.
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