Police urge volunteer Matula searchers not to take to the water

Eden Prairie police on Friday urged volunteers not to search rivers for Mandy Matula, the 24-year-old Eden Prairie woman who has been missing for about a month, citing dangerously high water. Organizers responded that the search will go on but with fewer participants.

"Recent activity on the 'Minnesota United' and 'Finding Mandy Matula' Facebook pages has indicated the Eden Prairie Police Department is endorsing volunteer-led water searches over the weekend," read a police statement issued Friday. "This is absolutely not the case, and police are asking those who are soliciting volunteers to cancel this activity due to the inherent dangers involved in a river search."

Police noted that the Mississippi is running high and "the current is fast, making the river very dangerous at this time. Any small mistake in these conditions can quickly turn into a water emergency that could result in injury or death."

In general, police made a point to mention, the volunteer searches "have been valuable to the investigation, and police are very appreciative of these efforts."

The volunteer effort, led by Matula's brother, Steven, and family friend Josh Truax, put out a call on the two Facebook pages for 10 to 15 boats, underwater cameras and other equipment for a river search Sunday in St. Cloud.

In response to police, Steven Matula said he's scaling back but not shelving his plans. He said he's directing volunteers not to be out on the Mississippi River, but he and a smaller group of Matula's friends and family will still be in boats looking for his sister's body.

He said the smaller group has the approval of police and will taking precautions that include having ropes in the boats and wearing life jackets. "We're playing it safe," he said.

Eden Prairie police continue to coordinate searches on land, in the air and in the water in and near Eden Prairie and northwest of there along the Mississippi River toward Stearns County.

Matula was last seen at 11 p.m. May 1 arguing with her ex-boyfriend, David Roe, as they left her home. Her mother called him at 8 a.m. the next day to see why Matula hadn't returned; he told her she had left his car at Miller Park to walk home.

Matula's family reported her missing and Roe was called in for questioning. He fatally shot himself in the head in the police parking lot.

Anyone with information on Matula's whereabouts is asked to call police at 952-949-6200.

Star Tribune staff writer Kelly Smith contributed to this report. Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482