Remains of Missing Person Located

   Cass County Sheriff Tom Burch reports that on June 7th 2021 at 3:20 PM, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office received a report that a survey crew had located human remains in a heavily wooded area of Blind Lake Township, rural Cass County, MN. 

   Deputies arrived on scene and learned that possible human remains were located in a swampy and heavily wooded area. The remains were collected and transported to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office for examination. On June 16th 2021, the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office reported that the remains were positively identified as those belonging to David Rickbeil, age 62, of Ham Lake MN. 

   On July 13th 2018, Rickbeil’s vehicle was located running, unoccupied in the area. Over the next several days a missing person’s investigation was launched and extensive searches of the area were conducted by foot, ATV, drone, air support and with the assistance of K9s. The area is very rural, thickly wooded and swampy. The investigation did not indicate any foul play was involved and that Rickbeil likely walked away from his vehicle.