Letts, Iowa Man Samuel Anthony Kessel Found Dead after Car Crash

A man from Letts, Iowa, was discovered dead on Tuesday following a car accident that occurred on Monday night, according to local authorities. The deceased individual has been identified as 22-year-old Samuel Anthony Kessel, as stated in a press release by the Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies from the sheriff’s office were dispatched to the scene of the incident, near the intersection of Independence Avenue and 231st Street (G-28) in Muscatine County, after receiving a report of a vehicle crash. Upon arrival, they found a red 2005 GMC Sierra overturned in a ditch north of the intersection. Surprisingly, the vehicle was empty at the time.

Despite conducting an extensive search of the area using canines and drones equipped with thermal imaging technology, deputies were unable to locate any individuals who may have been involved in the crash. They even attempted to track the cellphone of the truck’s registered owner, but it was discovered inside the vehicle. Complicating matters, temperatures dropped to single digits overnight.

The following morning, a missing persons report was filed with the sheriff’s office by Kessel’s parents. The report stated that Kessel, who was last seen by his parents prior to the accident, was believed to have been the driver and sole occupant of the truck.

Throughout the day, deputies, along with numerous volunteers, scoured the area in hopes of locating Kessel. The search efforts were further supported by an aircraft operated by the Iowa State Patrol. Finally, at approximately 5:10 p.m. on Tuesday, volunteers working in a wooded area about half a mile east of Independence Avenue and an eighth of a mile north of 231st Street discovered the body of a deceased male in a deep creek bed.

The body was later confirmed to be that of Kessel. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and anyone with information is urged to contact Sgt. Jake McCleary of the Criminal Investigation Division at the Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office.