Manitowoc County Sheriff Dan Hartwig has confirmed that the duck hunter who disappeared in the Collins Wildlife Area has been found.
Hartwig said in a news release that 29-year-old Joshua Lueptow was found on Monday at around 2:30 PM by a private search and rescue organization, Wing of Hope Wisconsin. His body was found in 5-6 feet of water, and the Sheriff’s Office’s Dive Team recovered his body.
Lueptow first went missing on October 29th while out duck hunting, and a massive search for him came up empty, despite the use of drones, fixed-wing aircraft, divers, sonar, K9, and surface vessels.
The Sheriff’s Department held off in confirming the news until the family was notified.
In his release, Sheriff Hartwig thanked Wings of Hope Wisconsin and offered his deepest condolences to the family.
The Lueptow family also issued a statement, saying they are “Forever grateful for all the volunteers, friends, and community who helped search for their loved one and supporting the family during this difficult time.”
