November 29, 2017
From KCCI.com
APPANOOSE COUNTY, Iowa — Officials in southern Iowa are scouring multiple counties for a person they say killed a Cedar Falls man while hunting over the holiday weekend.
The body of 31-year-old Curtis Ross was found Monday in the Lake Rathbun area, which is slightly less than 16,000 acres wide. Authorities said it was a miracle they were even able to find the body.
Appanoose County residents familiar with hunting said they believe whoever killed Ross must have known his exact whereabouts because the park is tough to navigate.
“I feel the public really needs to be concerned,” said Michael Motsinger, a special agent with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. “There’s just timber everywhere. It was very well off the beaten path.”
Since the investigation began, quiet country roads in Wayne and Appanoose counties have been flooded with law enforcement vehicles.
Shotgun deer season will begin this weekend in Appanoose County. Rathbun Wildlife Area is a popular spot, but law enforcement has a warning for hunters in the area.
“If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t right, and you need to contact local authorities,” Motsinger said.
Anyone with information about Ross’ location from Thursday through Sunday is asked to contact their local law enforcement or the Appanoose County Law Enforcement Center at 641-437-7100.