Authorities confirm remains pulled from Mississippi River in August was man missing since 1967

A cold case, almost 60 years old, finally has some answers after authorities were able to confirm that the remains pulled from the Mississippi River in Benton County last month were those of Roy George Benn.

On September 25, 1967, Benn was last seen at a cafe in Sartell, but after getting in his vehicle, he was not seen again.

While a missing person report was filed and leads were pursued, authorities were unable to find a solid lead on what happened to Benn.

Then, a breakthrough occurred on Aug. 10 of this year, when a boater on the Mississippi River noticed an odd shape on his fishing device that resembled a car.

SEE RELATED: Body recovered from car found in Mississippi River; could be linked to 1967 case

After the vehicle was reported to the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office, the area was examined, and on Aug. 13, members of the Stearns-Benton Dive team located a 1963 Buick Electra in the water. They also discovered human remains still inside the car.

After the vehicle was successfully pulled from the river, authorities were able to confirm that the car had been registered to Benn, as well as several items belonging to him inside.

On Thursday, the remains were tested at the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office and confirmed through DNA testing to be Benn.

While the test was successful in learning who he was, authorities have not been able to confirm the cause of his death at this time and said they are still investigating to learn more.

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office stated that an additional new release will be issued when his cause of death has been determined.
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