The search for Paul Brandt, 81, Grand Marais, came to an end around noon on Sunday, August 11, when a family member discovered his body approximately 1,400 feet northwest of his vehicle in a remote marshy area. Brandt’s family at Nor’Wester Lodge & Outfitters posted the sad news on its facebook page at about 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.
The ordeal for the Brandt family began on Thursday, August 1 when Paul Brandt did not return to his residence at Nor’Wester Lodge from a day of blueberry picking— something he greatly enjoyed and frequently did by himself. The family went to his favorite berry picking spot and found his truck. They searched the area from 5 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. They called Cook County Law Enforcement at 9:30 p.m. and Cook County Search and Rescue was mobilized.
Search and Rescue was on the scene near Brandt’s vehicle by 11 p.m. and searched using flashlights. They were assisted by a Minnesota State Patrol helicopter which provided lights for the search and scanned the area using FLIR, an infrared, heatseeking device. The search continued until about 4 a.m. A break was taken and rescuers were back on the search at 7 a.m. Searchers continued to meet at 7 or 8 a.m. each day until the evening of August 6, when the Cook County Sheriff ’s Office suspended the ground search, stating, “All reasonable locations have been searched without success.” The search area encompassed 455 acres.
When official ground search efforts were suspended on the evening of August 6, volunteers continued the search, something that Cook County Law Enforcement endorsed. Brandt’s family and community members gathered at Nor’Wester Lodge each morning at 9 a.m. to scour the area where Brandt was known to go berry picking and where his vehicle had been found.
A family member discovered Brandt’s body on Sunday, 10 days after he went missing, in the area that had been covered by previous search and rescue efforts.
Cook County Chief Deputy Leif Lunde explained that the marshy area where Brandt’s body was found had exceptionally difficult terrain. Lunde said searchers would have had to be within four feet of each other to spot him. Lunde said, “In the marshy area where Paul was found, you would have had to be very close—within four feet—to see him. This area was searched with helicopter and dogs but was not an area we could thoroughly grid search.”
Lunde said the fact that the searchers must have passed by Brandt was “disappointing and frustrating.”
Brandt’s body was retrieved from the location by St. Louis County Search and Rescue, who have special equipment for recovering bodies in marshy terrain in a gentle and more humane manner.
No criminal conduct is suspected at this time, and an autopsy is being conducted.
At the county board meeting on Tuesday, August 13, the search efforts were discussed. It was noted that Emergency Services Director Jim Wiinanen missed a budget meeting with the county board on August 6 because he was involved in the search. Commissioner Garry Gamble asked how a search like this affects the budget. Sheriff Mark Falk said the State Patrol provides help out of its own budget in cases like this.
The search for a young man who had drowned in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness a couple of years ago cost about $30,000, Sheriff Falk said.
Most of the search was conducted by volunteers, Sheriff Falk said. The county incurs some costs when they have to provide lodging for volunteers, but in this case, volunteers from Sawyer County in Wisconsin stayed in a fire hall.
Falk said they had about 50 people searching. Assisting in the search efforts were personnel from search and rescue teams from Cook, Lake and St. Louis counties as well as Central Lakes Search & Rescue in Minnesota and Sawyer County Search & Rescue of Wisconsin; Minnesota State Patrol; Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; U.S. Forest Service; U.S. Border State Patrol; and the Gunflint, Hovland, Colvill, Maple Hill, Lutsen, and Grand Marais fire departments. Numerous civilians assisted in the search as well.
The sheriff told the county board they were very grateful for all the help. In the news release announcing that Brandt’s body had been found, Cook County Sheriff Mark Falk said, “The Cook County Sheriff ’s Office would like to thank all family members, family friends, and volunteers who helped search for Paul Brandt.”
The Brandt family also expressed appreciation to the community for its support. The community is invited to a celebration of Paul’s life at 1 p.m. and funeral at 2 p.m. on Friday, August 23 at Cornerstone Community Church in Grand Marais.
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