The thrill-seeking young man who jumped to his death from a rock ledge overlooking the St. Croix River was a swimmer and track athlete in high school north of the Twin Cities.
Divers recovered the body of Alex Vitalis, 20, of River Falls, Wis., around noon Tuesday more than 40 feet below the surface, according to the Chisago County Sheriff's Office.
Vitalis was with other young people on Monday when he jumped from the ledge on the Wisconsin side of the river in what authorities describe as an illegal recreational activity.
The ledge is near Franconia Landing and varies in height from 20 to 40 feet.
Along with competing on the Chisago Lakes High School swim team, Vitalis also was a pole vaulter and sprinter for his school while living in Shafer, Minn. He then attended the University of St. Thomas.
Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482
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