Sheriff's Office Updates & Alerts - Stearns County, Minnesota
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320-251-4240  

Missing Kayaker

Update

On 6-2-2023 the body of the missing kayaker was located in the Mississippi River.  The body of Donald Richard Worden, 39, of St. Cloud was recovered at approximately 6:45 P.M.  The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office conducted search and recovery operations on 5-31, 6-1 and 6-2.  On 6-2 at approximately 6:20 P.M. the Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call from a boater on the Mississippi River who was near the St. Germain Street bridge.  That caller reported what appeared to be a body floating in the water.  The St. Cloud Fire Department and St. Cloud Police Department responded to the call along with the Sheriff’s Office.  Boats from the St. Cloud Fire Department and Stearns County Sheriff’s Office worked together on the recovery.  An investigator from the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.  The body of Donald Worden was transported to the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy. 

On May 31, 2023, at approximately 3:56 P.M. the Stearns County Emergency Communications Center received a call from a boater on the Mississippi River reporting an overturned kayak.    The boater had observed and recovered the kayak and did not see anyone around.  The St. Cloud Fire Department responded to the area and used several boats to conduct a visual inspection of the water surface and shoreline.  The St. Cloud Police Department and Stearns County Sheriff’s Office utilized their UAV’s to search the area as well. The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office and Minnesota DNR also responded with boats equipped with side scan sonar abilities to search the water.  The missing Kayaker was not located.  The missing kayaker is described as a white male, 39 years of age, and is 5’10” and approximately 200 pounds he was last seen wearing blue jeans and a black t-shirt with a subdued tone American Flag on the front.  He has short black hair, crew cut style, and a full beard, reddish in color.  He was in a dark red and red kayak.  He put in near the Holiday station store in Sartell and his destination was Munsinger Gardens in St. Cloud.  The male has been identified by law enforcement.  That identity is being withheld until all family is made aware of the situation.  If any has any information on this missing kayaker, we ask that you call 320-251-4240. 

Dispatch 320-251-4240   |   Records 320-259-3700

Email sheriff@co.stearns.mn.us   |   Twitter @Stearns_Sheriff