Sheriff's dive team testing sonar finds car of man who went missing 41 years ago

(KMSP) - A Goodhue County sheriff’s office dive team was testing its new sonar unit on the Mississippi River when they found the vehicle of a man who went missing in 1976.

The vehicle belonged to David Jorgensen, who was last seen on February 27, 1976 on Trenton Island. In early May 1976, Jorgensen’s body was located on the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi River in an area known as Warrentown. The location of his vehicle had been a mystery for the past 41 years. 

At the time of the sonar discovery, the water level was high with strong currents and it was too dangerous to send the divers down. Thursday, a dive team was able to place straps on the vehicle and make a successful recovery.

Jorgensen’s family members and friends gathered as the vehicle was removed. The sheriff’s office hopes this recovery will bring closure to the question of what happened to Jorgensen’s car. 

The Pierce County Sheriff's Office, Minnesota State Patrol, Minnesota DNR, Red Wing Fire Department and Siewert's Towing and Recovery assisted with the recovery.