UPDATE: The Iowa DNR reported seeing what they believed was a body in the Upper Iowa River near Lundy Bridge in Winneshiek County on Monday, May 27, at approximately 2:25 p.m. A short time later, the Decorah Fire Department was able to confirm the sighting and recover the body of missing kayaker Justin Gerald Limkemann (39). Limkemann has been missing since Saturday, May 18, 2024, after he went kayaking. The Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office and all agencies involved in the search and recovery efforts extend their heartfelt condolences to the victim’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.
Previous release:
Authorities have identified the missing kayaker as Justin Gerald Limkemann, 39, of Frederika. Limkemann has been missing since early Saturday evening, when he was seen kayaking on the Upper Iowa River near Freeport. Emergency crews are still searching.
The Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office, Decorah Fire Department, Winneshiek County Emergency Management and Iowa DNR continued search and recovery efforts throughout the day and evening hours Monday, May 20. In addition, the Illinois Team of Christian Aid Ministries Search and Rescue was deployed to the Upper Dam area. Advanced equipment, technologies and experts did an extensive search of the area, but these latest efforts were unsuccessful, according to a report from the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office.
Search and recovery efforts continued throughout the day Tuesday, May 21. Limkemann was last seen kayaking in the Freeport area around 6 p.m., Saturday, May 18. A short time after the investigation was initiated, the capsized kayak was located in the middle of the Upper Iowa River, just below the Upper Dam. Several other items belonging to the kayaker were also located in the river below the Upper Dam, a sheriff’s office report said.
The Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office is being assisted by the Decorah Fire Department, Winneshiek County Emergency Management and Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Anyone with information on this incident is encouraged to call the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office at 563-382-4268.
Original article:
A 39-year-old kayaker has been missing since Saturday, according to a report from the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s report said that at around 12:16 p.m., Sunday, the sheriff’s office received the report of the missing male kayaker, who was last seen launching onto the Upper Iowa River around 2 p.m., Saturday, May 18. The last known location of the kayaker was on the river near the Freeport area around 6 p.m., that day.
A short time after the investigation was initiated, the capsized kayak was located in the middle of the Upper Iowa River, just below the Upper Dam. Several other items belonging to the kayaker were also located in the river below the Upper Dam.
The Decorah Fire Department and the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office conducted an extensive search of the river from Freeport to the Lower Dam. This search included a jet boat, sonar and drone technology. The kayaker has not been located, and search and recovery efforts are continuing.
The Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office is being assisted by the Decorah Fire Department, Winneshiek County Emergency Management and Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office is being assisted by the Decorah Fire Department, Winneshiek County Emergency Management, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Anyone with information on this incident is encouraged to call the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office at 563-382-4268.
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