Search for Owner of Submerged Vehicle Called Off

The Valley County Sheriff's Office has concluded its search for the body of a Colorado man reported missing in mid-June. A truck owned by Robert J. Willenborg, 59, of Buena Vista, Colo., was discovered submerged in the Missouri River near Boy Scout Park by a local boater on June 12. No remains have been found, but Sheriff Meier told the Courier, "He's there, but we couldn't find him and we've suspended the search."

Members of the Tri-County Search & Rescue dog team contributed to the search with two certified water dogs and one uncertified dog on July 14-15. All three dogs indicated the presence of submerged remains independently in the same area, but efforts to locate Willenborg with a body dragger, underwater cameras and sonar were unsuccessful. All told, a 35-day search was conducted by the Sheriff's Office, the Army Corps of Engineers, Valley County Search & Rescue, and local volunteers. If you have any information relating to Willenborg's disappearance, please contact the Sheriff's Office at 228-4333.