Body of missing western North Dakota teen found in Knife River

BEULAH, N.D. — An 11-day exhaustive search has drawn to a detailed for 18-year-old Tyler Schaeffer. The physique of the lacking teenager was discovered within the Knife River Wednesday night time, in accordance with the Beulah Police Division.

The 18-year-old was final seen alive strolling in Beulah close to Congregational Church throughout the early morning hours of Might 1.

Beulah Police Chief Frank Senn confirmed the information in a telephone dialog with The Dickinson Press on Thursday morning. Senn stated they situated the physique within the river, east of the Freeway 49 bridge in Riverside Park.

The investigation stays ongoing.

Schaeffer’s physique has been transported to Bismarck, the place his reason for loss of life can be decided by the North Dakota Forensic Examiners Workplace. The post-mortem needs to be accomplished and the findings launched inside roughly two weeks, Senn stated.

Senn recommended the divers and all different emergency personnel, together with the Mercer County Dive Staff and Burleigh County Swiftwater Staff, for working tirelessly within the face of perilous circumstances. As a result of April blizzards, river ranges had been about 4 ft greater than common and the present was robust.

“The circumstances that we had on the river had been very harmful for diving and we had a river that was roughly round 1,200 CFS (cubic ft per second),” he stated.

Senn stated he spoke with Schaeffer’s mom and that he was glad to at the least be capable to convey some closure to the household.

“It was the completion of an 11-day search. And really sarcastically, you already know, Tyler’s soccer jersey quantity was 11. His mother pointed that out. It’s type of becoming I suppose. The river needed to give him up on the eleventh day,” he stated.

In a Fb submit, the legislation enforcement chief requested the neighborhood to be thoughtful of Schaeffer’s household and supplied a message of empathy to these affected.

“I pray for consolation to Tyler’s household, our Beulah household and all those that prayed for Tyler’s return. Please respect the household’s privateness and funeral bulletins can be forthcoming,” he said. “For all of Staff Tyler it’s time to heal, maintain the one you love’s a bit tighter right now. Thanks for all those that helped in our efforts to seek out and convey Tyler residence. Phrases can not categorical our appreciation and admiration for every of you.”