SARTELL, MN – A chance discovery by a Minnesota fisherman may have unraveled a mystery that has puzzled investigators for over five decades. Authorities believe they have located the remains of Roy Benn, a man who vanished in 1967, after his car was found submerged in the Mississippi River.
The unexpected breakthrough came from Brody Locke, an angler from Watkins, who was using sonar equipment over the weekend. While fishing, Locke’s equipment captured a startling image beneath the water: a car resting 20 feet below the surface.
Locke, reflecting on the find, described it as pure luck. “If my friend hadn’t caught that walleye, we would have drifted by without noticing,” he said.
Authorities were alerted, and an operation to retrieve the vehicle commenced on Tuesday. The car, identified as a Buick through its VIN number, was confirmed to belong to Benn, whose disappearance had made headlines back in the ’60s.
Benn was last spotted leaving the King’s Supper Club, reportedly carrying a considerable amount of money. His vanishing act sparked numerous theories, some suggesting he might have ended up in the river or nearby quarries.
Inside the vehicle, investigators discovered human remains, which they suspect belong to Benn. The find could potentially bring closure to a case that has remained open for decades.
The Sartell Police Chief expressed gratitude to Locke for his unexpected contribution. “We couldn’t have done it without you,” he said, acknowledging the fisherman’s role in the discovery.
Despite the promising lead, many questions remain unanswered. The Benton County Sheriff’s Office is spearheading the investigation, striving to piece together the circumstances that led to Benn’s disappearance and the car’s final resting place.
As the investigation continues, the hope is that this discovery will finally bring some solace to those who have long awaited answers.