The search for a missing Davis County man ended in tragedy over the weekend.
The body of 76-year-old Alvin Morris Haines was discovered Saturday morning, June 27, in rural Davis County, just two days after he was reported missing.
According to the Davis County Sheriff’s Office, Haines was last known to have contact with someone on Thursday, June 25. After he was reported missing, authorities entered his information into the Iowa Missing Person Information Clearinghouse and launched a search involving local law enforcement, volunteers, and search-and-rescue personnel.
A volunteer search-and-rescue team conducted a grid search Saturday morning and located a deceased man in a rural area of the county. The individual was later positively identified as Haines.
His body was transported to the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office in Ankeny, where an autopsy will be performed to determine the official cause and manner of death.
Investigators have not released the exact location where Haines was found or disclosed how far it was from where he was last seen. Officials have also not said whether foul play is suspected, and no arrests have been made.
The Davis County Sheriff’s Office says the investigation remains active as authorities await the medical examiner’s findings. Those results will help determine whether Haines’ death was due to natural causes, an accident, or if criminal activity played a role.
The sheriff’s office was assisted in the investigation by volunteer search-and-rescue personnel, with additional assistance available from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office. Officials also expressed their appreciation to everyone who volunteered their time to help search for Haines.
The investigation remains ongoing.
