A search for a 77-year-old man who disappeared near Prescott Island ended tragically Aug. 4, when the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office located Michael William Robinson deceased downstream from where his boat had been found.
The sheriff’s office announced the discovery Aug. 6, bringing an end to an extensive search that included personnel and equipment from agencies on both sides of the Minnesota-Wisconsin border.
Robinson had last been seen during the evening of Tuesday, July 28, near Prescott Island. The Dakota County Sheriff’s Office issued a public missing person alert July 31 after Robinson’s boat was located unoccupied near the island.
At the time of the alert, authorities said extensive searches had already been conducted on both land and water, but Robinson had not been located. The sheriff’s office asked residents and others who may have been in the area to report anything they knew about Robinson’s whereabouts.
Those search efforts continued into the following week.
According to the Aug. 6 announcement, Robinson was located Aug. 4 downstream from his boat. The sheriff’s office did not provide additional details about the location where he was found or the circumstances surrounding the recovery.
“This is not the outcome any of us had hoped for. Our hearts are with Michael’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” Sheriff Joe Leko said.
The search involved several specialized teams and agencies, reflecting the challenges of searching an area involving both land and water.
The Dakota County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team and Drone Team participated, along with the Dakota County Special Operations Team. Assistance was also provided by the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Northstar Search and Rescue.
The Dakota County Sheriff’s Office thanked each of those organizations for their assistance throughout the search.
When Robinson was initially reported missing, authorities described him as 5 feet, 7 inches tall and approximately 150 pounds, with blue eyes. He wore glasses, although investigators said he might not have had them with him. Robinson may also have been wearing a yellow shirt and a silver bracelet on his right wrist when he was last seen.
The discovery of his unoccupied boat near Prescott Island became a central part of the search. Authorities did not release additional details about the boat or exactly where it was located.
The Aug. 6 announcement also provided the first indication from investigators about the circumstances surrounding Robinson’s death.
According to the sheriff’s office, preliminary findings indicate his death is not considered suspicious. The case, however, remains under investigation.
No additional information will be released at this time, according to the sheriff’s office.
Robinson’s disappearance had prompted a public appeal for information beginning July 31, three days after he was last seen. Authorities asked anyone who had seen Robinson or had information about where he might be to contact the sheriff’s office.
The search then continued for several more days before Robinson was found Aug. 4.
While the investigation has not concluded, the preliminary determination that the circumstances are not suspicious provides some information about the direction of the case. Authorities have not announced a cause or manner of death, and no further details about what may have happened between Robinson’s disappearance and his recovery have been released.
The sheriff’s office’s Aug. 6 announcement instead focused on the outcome of the search, condolences for Robinson’s family and appreciation for the agencies and specialized teams that helped during the effort.