A body found near the St. Croix River bottoms on the Wisconsin side of Interstate State Park this week has been identified as that of an Oakdale man who went missing over the summer after reportedly leaving for a kayaking trip in the area, authorities say.
Vue Her, 49, had apparently gone to Interstate Park in Taylors Falls in July, according to news reports. When he didn’t return home, his family filed a missing person’s report with Oakdale police.
An unoccupied kayak was later spotted north of Rock Island on the St. Croix River, according to the Chisago County sheriff’s office.
Deputies found the kayak pulled up on the shore, with a tackle box and keys to a vehicle inside, the sheriff’s office said at the time. Vue Her’s vehicle was located unoccupied at the park. Officials searched the area at the time but found no sign of Vue Her.
His body was discovered Tuesday by two hunters who were walking along the St Croix river bottoms.
Deputies and investigators from the Polk County sheriff’s department arrived and realized the remains had been at the location — off County Road S, north of 113th Avenue — for some time.
His manner of death is still under investigation.
Vue Her’s family could not be immediately reached for comment.