Subject of search located alive and well

After spending a night in the woods Aaron Banks was found safe and sound by Cook County Search and Rescue and C.C. Law Enforcement.

A large sigh of relief went through the county last Friday, May 12 when the Cook County Sheriff ’s Office and Search & Rescue located Aaron Banks, who went missing early Thursday morning after going for an an early morning walk.

Banks, age 34, from the Twin Cities, was visiting a family cabin with his wife. He took a 4 a.m. walk near County Road 14 West, which is located about seven miles east of Grand Marais and after failing to return, his wife notified authorities.

Banks was found at about 9 a.m. on Friday, May 12, approximately a quarter mile in from Cliff Creek Pit near County Road 14, off Highway 61 outside of Grand Marais. He was found walking in the woods. He was reunited with his family and was transported to the hospital for evaluation, but, according to the press release from the Sheriff ’s Office, he appeared to be okay.

K-9 units were brought in to assist on Thursday and attempts to track Banks via his cell phone were unsuccessful. Banks’ wife said her husband was suffering from anxiety, but he wasn’t believed to be a threat to himself or anyone else.

“We are very relieved with the outcome of this search and to find Mr. Banks alive,” said Sheriff Pat Eliasen. “I highly commend the efforts of our deputies and Search & Rescue team for their diligence in quickly locating the individual. We operate in expansive, tough terrain up here and these individuals are top-notch. I also thank and commend members of the community who came out to volunteer and assist with search efforts.”