Bentz’s death in Minn. under investigation

The Dakota County, Minnesota, Sheriff’s Office said the investigation continues into the death of a Jamestown man although foul play is not suspected.

The Dakota County Sheriff’s Office said Friday that Troy Evan Bentz, 43, Jamestown, was the man whose body was recovered from the Vermillion River at Hastings, Minn. Dakota County Chief Deputy Dave Bellows said foul play is not suspected in Bentz’s death.

Dakota County Medical examiner Dr. Lindsey Thomas said the cause of death was blunt force trauma, “consistent with someone going over the falls of the river.”

“According to our investigation, Bentz has been seen in Hastings several times and had no permanent address,” he said. “There was some clothing recovered upstream where he was found, but we have not confirmed it was his.”

The body was recovered from the river about 11:30 a.m. Friday east of the falls and before the walking bridge in the park.

“As to whether he went swimming or went into the water to bathe, we don’t know,” Bellows said.

He said the public provided the Sheriff’s Office and the Dakota County Coroner’s office with information that helped identify the body.

Tags: minnesota, bentz, drowning