Body of College Student from Eden Prairie Found in Iowa River

The search for a missing Luther College student ended Sunday when authorities pulled his body from a nearby river.

On Saturday evening it was reported to Decorah police that Luther College student Bjorn Norderhaug, 21, of Eden Prairie, was last seen on Saturday at about 1:50 a.m. in downtown Decorah.

Decorah police and Luther College staff began a missing person investigation.

On Sunday morning, the Winneshiek County Sheriff's Office received a report of a body located in the Upper Iowa River near Clay Hill Road outside of Decorah.

Rescue crews were able to recover the body from the river. Authorities later identified it to be the body of Norderhaug.

Luther College released a statement on its Facebook page:

"Luther College community is heartbroken to relay the sad news of the death of Bjorn Norderhaug of Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Bjorn, a computer science major, was reported missing Saturday, Sept. 17."

"The Luther community is devastated by this loss and continues to pray for Bjorn's family," said Luther President Paula Carlson.

"We ask that the community come together and support one another in this difficult time."

Image: Matthew Robey via Flickr /Creative Commons