UPDATE: Search for missing man ends with grim discovery

 

November 11, 2022

Lucas Dudden

Aitkin County officials discovered a body -- presumed to be that of a man reported missing almost two weeks ago -- in the waters of Rat Lake, Aitkin County.

According to a news release from Carlton County Sheriff's Office issued Friday, Nov. 11, searchers recovered a body Friday.

"Based upon the investigation, the body is believed to be that of Lucas Dudden, the missing man from Carlton County," the release stated, adding that the body will be sent to Ramsey County for an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death and to confirm the identity. Dudden was reported missing Oct. 31 by family.

Dudden had been renting a home in the Esko area and working in Superior. Family reported him missing after he didn't show up for work, and Carlton County took the lead in an extensive land and water search.

The recovery of the truck in nearby Aitkin County led to a coordinated investigation.

Carlton and Aitkin County Sheriff's Offices were assisted by Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, St. Louis County Rescue Squad, Aitkin County Search and Rescue, Christian Aid Ministries - Search and Rescue, Fond du Lac Police Department, St. Louis County Sheriff's Office, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and State Patrol.

Find the previous story below:

Search for missing man continues

The Carlton County Sheriff's Office had continued to investigate the disappearance of a missing man this week. Lucas Dudden was reported missing Oct. 31 by family.

Dudden, 38, is described as 5-foot-8, 165 pounds with sandy brown hair and blue eyes, said a Sheriff's Office news release.

Searches for the man have been at least temporarily suspended by the Aitkin County Sheriff's Office due, in part, to safety concerns during the firearms deer season. His family last contacted him Oct. 26, the Sheriff's Office said, and Dudden's vehicle was found parked along a gravel road in rural Aitkin County north of McGregor.

The Sheriff's Office was coordinating its investigation with the Aitkin County Sheriff's Office and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. The St. Louis County Rescue Squad, Aitkin County Search and Rescue, Fond du Lac Police Department, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and State Patrol were also assisting in locating the man.

Carlton County Sheriff Kelly Lake explained that Dudden was renting a home in the Esko area and working in Superior. Family reported him missing after he didn't show up for work, and Carlton County took the lead. The recovery of the truck in the next county over led to a coordinated investigation, Lake said.

She acknowledged the out-of-state family's fears of foul play, first reported by other media.

"The investigation is still active, and we're not ruling anything out," Lake said. "But we have no evidence to point to foul play at this point."

Anyone with information on Dudden's whereabouts is urged to contact the office at 218-384-3236.

 
 

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