Valley City (trfnews.i234.me) — Alfred “Al” Odden, a Wahpeton man missing since April 1, was found dead after authorities recovered a vehicle from the Sheyenne River in Valley City.
According to Valley City police, the vehicle was found Friday evening, April 10, near the 1300 block of Riverview Drive. Crews could not remove it that night. Spring water levels were high. River currents were also strong. Those conditions made recovery unsafe.
River Conditions Delayed Recovery
Authorities said the recovery moved forward Saturday morning, April 11. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers temporarily reduced water flow from Baldhill Dam. That step helped lower river levels for the operation.
With safer conditions in place, emergency crews removed the vehicle from the river. The Wahpeton Police Department confirmed the vehicle belonged to Odden. He was found dead at the scene. Authorities later confirmed his identity.
Several Agencies Helped at the Scene
Police said several agencies assisted with the recovery. They included Valley City Fire and Rescue, Gille Auto, the Barnes County Sheriff’s Office, Barnes County Ambulance, and the North Dakota Highway Patrol.
The case began as a missing person report after Odden was reported missing on April 1. The discovery brought a sad end to that search. Officials have not released more details about how the vehicle entered the river.
Police Ask for More Information
Valley City police are still asking anyone with more information to contact the department. Anyone who may have seen Odden or his vehicle before it was found is urged to come forward.
For updates, readers can follow the TRF News website and check local agency notices.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
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