Press Release: Body Recovered from Movil Lake

July 5, 2026

Turtle Lake Township – Beltrami County, MN – An adult male was recovered deceased after exiting a boat and entering the water on a lake north of Bemidji on Friday, July 3, 2026.

The Beltrami County Emergency Communications Center received a call at approximately 5:00pm on Friday, July 3, 2026 reporting an adult male had exited a boat and entered the water that was operating on Movil Lake. The initial reports indicated he had entered the water and shortly after presumed to have become submerged and did not resurface.

Beltrami County deputies and other first responders were dispatched to the area. Deputies were assisted by other boaters and bystanders in the area. Department of Natural Resource Officers also arrived on scene. At approximately 5:30pm an object was identified in approximately 25 feet of water that was believed to be a body. Prior to the arrival of the Lakes Area Dive Team, first responders had to evacuate the lake as severe thunderstorms moved into the area.

The Lakes Area Dive Team arrived on scene and responded to the area that had been marked by initial responders and at approximately 8:30pm had located the body of an adult male matching the description of the missing person. The dive team assisted in recovery of the body. The decedent was brought to shore by deputies and was transported by a funeral home for autopsy.

The Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Bemidji Fire Department, Bemidji Ambulance Service, Department of Natural Resources, Lakes Area Dive Team and civilian bystanders.

This case remains under investigation and no further information is available at this time.

-Sheriff Jason Riggs