On January 10, at approximately 8:10 PM., the Sheriff’s Office was contacted by a family member of a missing adult.  The caller stated that the adult, identified as Chris Schnelting, a white male, age 41 from Grob Road outside Gerald, had left home and did not return.  The family had not been able to contact him and was concerned.

It was reported that Schnelting had left his residence on Grob Road on foot at about 1:00 PM., on Jan. 9th.  He stated that he was going to walk to the store to get cigarettes but did not return.

A search was initiated involving a ground search, and contact with friends and relatives.  Gerald Fire, law enforcement, and family members participated in the search along with search dogs belonging to Tom Osterkamp.  Reserve Deputy Tom Kline also covered the scene from the air in a helicopter.  The victim was reported to have a cell phone.  Law enforcement were able to obtain a general idea of the location of the phone and a search was conducted in that area.

Later that day, a family member searching with Deputies located the victim in a ditch on Antioch Road approximately 50 yards east of Grob Lane.  He was deceased.  Cause of death has not been determined.  Foul play is not suspected at this time.  Further investigation is being conducted.