Sutherland, Iowa — More information has been released on the deceased individual found near the Prairie Heritage Center southeast of Sutherland.
The O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office says that about 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 12th, 2026, they received information from the Fairmont, Minnesota Police Department regarding a missing person. Family members reported receiving suicidal text messages from the individual.
O’Brien County Sheriff Bruce Devereaux says that about 3:30 p.m. that day, an O’Brien County Deputy Sheriff located the missing person’s vehicle at the Little Sioux River access (Burnt Bridge) on Wilson Avenue, on the north side of the river, just north of the O’Brien County Prairie Heritage Center. The missing person was located deceased inside the vehicle. The identity of the victim is currently being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
The O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death as a suicide. At this time, no foul play or suspicious circumstances are suspected. Devereaux says the O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office extends its deepest condolences to the family during what he calls “this difficult time.”
