A grieving family's 2 1/2-year wait came to an end Monday when authorities identified a body pulled from the St. Croix River on Sunday as Timothy Michael Pease, whose snowmobile fell into open water in February 2010.
Deputies were called to the river across from Windmill Marina in Afton shortly before noon Sunday on a report of a body in the water.
Washington County Sheriff's Cmdr. Brian Mueller confirmed Monday afternoon that the Ramsey County medical examiner's office had identified the victim.
In 2010, the Washington County Sheriff's Office spearheaded a search for Pease, 28, of St. Croix Beach and Cottage Grove. Although a snowmobile was found, a body was not recovered as searchers battled tough conditions and dangerous shelves of ice in the current.
Authorities had been called to the area on Feb. 5, 2010, a Friday evening, after a resident on the Wisconsin side of the river reported hearing the motor of a northbound snowmobile on the river and, a short time later, cries for help that soon fell silent.
St. Croix County Sheriff John Shilts said Monday that his office had contacted the Washington County Sheriff's Office, which then led the investigation.
Joy Powell 651-925-5037
