On May 13, 2023, at approximately 9:45 A.M., the Clinton County Sheriffs Office responded to the Ben
Martinsen Wildlife Area (Hwy 67, South of Folletts, lA.), to a report of a missing person. Upon arrival, deputies
met with two teenage campers, who reported their 18 year old friend missing from the campsite. First
responders from the Clinton County Sheriffs Office, Low Moor Fire Department and an off-duty Camanche
Firefighter began searching the wildlife area and the backwaters of the Wapsipinicon River. Deputies also
summoned the assistance of a K-9 unit from the Clinton Police Department and a drone to assist in the search
for the missing person.
At approximately 10:28 A.M., the body of the 18 year missing person was discovered in the backwaters of the
Wapsipinicon River by the off-duty Camanche Firefighter. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The identity of the victim is not being released at this time, pending proper notification of family.
The case remains under investigation by the Clinton County Sheriffs Office and the Clinton County Medical
Examiner. The Clinton County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Low Moor Fire Department,
Clinton Police Department, Clinton County Emergency Management, Iowa Department of Natural Resources
and the Clinton County Medical Examiner’s Office.
