Richland snowmobiler found dead in Skunk River

A Richland man who was reported missing on Monday, Jan. 14, at 1:49 a.m., after going snowmobiling was found dead in the Skunk River at 9:58 a.m. that day.

Spencer Ray Adam, 25, was snowmobiling when he was reported missing. His snowmobile was located around 3 a.m., on Monday, Jan. 14, near the Skunk River and Highway 34 bridge. He was found about three-fourths of a mile down river from where his snowmobile was located, according to a new release.

Adam's body will be sent for medical examination. At this time, the cause of death is unknown. Henry County Sheriff Rich McNamee was unable to be reached for comment regarding the search.

Firefighters from Fairfield readied a search-and-rescue boat between 3 and 4 a.m. Monday, and began actively searching once it was daylight. They put the boat in the water at Oakland Mills around 7:30 a.m.

Jefferson County Sheriff's Lieutenant Jerry Marcellus said he and a few other deputies from his office were there, too. Monday was the first time the sheriff's office used its drone in a search-and-rescue operation.

A drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle that can be operated by remote control. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office acquired a drone with a camera in late 2017. Drones are used to search for a missing person, search for fugitives, investigate large traffic accidents or incidents with hazardous materials. Marcellus and two other deputies, Tracy Vance and Rusty Simpson, have been certified by the Federal Aviation Administration as drone pilots.

The Henry County Sheriff's Office knew that Jefferson County possessed this equipment, and asked for their help. Marcellus flew the drone over the dam at Oakland Mills, while another person operated the camera attached to it. As the drone flew over the water, its camera relayed images to a screen back on shore.

The drone was in the air about 20 minutes, which is the life of its battery. As Marcellus was attempting to land it to replace its battery, the search was called off. Adam's body had been found.

Authorities from the Henry County Sheriff's Office, Iowa DNR, Henry County Emergency Management, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office and the Fairfield Fire Department assisted in the search.