Prompts winter weather advisories as cold air moves in Friday night

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

Authorities in central Minnesota say they've identified the human remains recovered from the Mississippi River last month as a man who's been missing for nearly 60 years. 

 in September of 1967, after he was seen around 4 a.m. in a cafe in Sartell. A Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension bulletin said Benn was reportedly carrying a large sum of money.

Despite a yearslong investigation, authorities were unable to find Benn or provide answers in the case.

Then, on Aug. 10, an angler on the Mississippi River near Sartell noticed a shape on a sonar device that looked like a submerged vehicle. 

Members of the Stearns and Benton counties' dive team searched the river and recovered a 1963 Buick Electra, severely deteriorated and filled with sediment, which was registered to Benn. Human remains and several items belonging to Benn were found inside.

The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office used DNA testing to confirm the remains were Benn's. The Benton County Sheriff's Office said it’s still determining the cause and manner of his death.

Minnesota News

NewsPartners

Homepage

Kirsti Marohn

Author

Roy George Benn was 59 years old when he disappeared. His remains were found inside a submerged vehicle located by boaters in August.

Human remains found in Mississippi positively identified as man missing since 1967

Go Deeper.

Like this?