On Sunday morning Mahaska County informed the Marion County Sheriff’s Office of a missing person, Raymond William Welch, 41.

Since that time the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, along with other agencies, have analyzed cellphone data, conducted searches on both land and in water, utilized sonar, drones, divers, and employed tracking dogs.

“We are focusing our search at Cordova based on information from Mahaska County, Mr. Welch’s vehicle, and other information.”

They are not currently requesting public assistance as they have ample personnel to sufficiently conduct the search. The Sheriff’s Office greatly appreciates the public’s willingness to help, and they ask to respect the privacy of the family during this difficult time.

Those assisting in the search include:
Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa DNR, Marion County Conservation, Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office, Oskaloosa Police Department, Marion County Emergency Management, Mahaska County Emergency Management, Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, Central Iowa Underwater Search and Rescue along with other agencies.

The search is suspended for the evening and will resume in the morning.