Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com

Published - Friday, July 04, 2008

Sheriff: Missing Marshall man probably dead

MARSHALL, Minn. (AP) — The Lincoln County sheriff said a missing Marshall man probably died accidentally in the Yellow Medicine River.

After weeks of searching, Sheriff Jack Vizecky said he's convinced that 19-year-old Brandon Swanson's body is in the river somewhere. There's no evidence of foul play.

Swanson disappeared May 14. He car was found near the river on the Lincoln and Lyon county line in western Minnesota.

Since then, law enforcement officers have been searching. Volunteers groups have gone out nearly every weekend. They've found nothing, not even a piece of clothing or cell phone.

Still, Vizecky said there's no evidence to suggest Swanson is alive or anywhere other than in or near the river.

Vizecky said there's been no decision on how the county will continue the search.

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