Vincent Mathiowetz

NEW ULM — The fifth day in the search for a missing 73-year-old Sleepy Eye was called off early Friday due to heavy rains.

Vincent Hugo Mathiowetz was reported missing by his family around noon Sunday, June 3. His vehicle was located about 3 miles south of Sleepy Eye at a boat landing on Highway 4 near the Cottonwood River.

Search efforts expanded from the Sleepy Eye Police Department, Brown County Sheriff’s Office, New Ulm Police Department K-9 unit, Sleepy Eye Fire Department, New Ulm Fire Department, Minnesota DNR and Renvville County Sheriff’s Office. Remote control drones have even been utilized in the search.

The focus of the search has been exclusively on the Cottonwood River since the he K-9 unit tracked Mathiowetz to this location. The search has also expanded to an area approximately a quarter to three- quarter mile east of the bridge.

From the beginning of the search strong river currents, low water visibility and river debris has hindered the search and recovery efforts. Early morning rain on June 8 made the task impossible. A total of 3.05 inches was recorded in New Ulm, and 2.46″ in Sleepy Eye.

The rains raised the level of the Cottonwood River nearly two feet on Friday, according to the National Weather Service in Chanhassen. It is expected to rise another two feet, to about a foot below flood stage in New Ulm, by Sunday, then start ebbing.

Sleepy Eye Fire Department initially resumed the search at 10 a.m. Friday, but the search was called off early at 1 p.m.

In a Friday press release from the Brown County Sheriff’s Department said, due to the rain fall that occurred in the past 24 hours and the strong currents, the search was hampered and the rapidly rising river made the search too dangerous. The Sheriff’s Department plans to continue mointoring the conditions and resume the search when conditions become more favorable. The MN DNR will be conducting a search from the air the next couple of days.

Mathiowetz was last seen wearing blue jeans, a red t-shirt, a blue and white flannel shirt and brown work boots. He wears glasses and a watch.