39-year-old’s death ruled a homicide
Published 10:27 am Tuesday, November 3, 2015
The Mower County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the case of a dead body found in the Cedar River along Highway 105 Sunday is being investigated as a homicide.
Sheriff Terese Amazi also identified the victim as David Allen Madison, 39, of rural Austin.
Deputies received a call at about 11:30 a.m. Sunday to a report of a body found in the Cedar River, about halfway between County Road 4 and County Road 5 on the east side of the road. Madison was found by three people fishing on private property.
Madison was found 10 feet from shore in about 3 feet of water, fully clothed, and appears to have been in the water at least overnight, according to Amazi.
Austin Fire Department assisted in the removal from the water, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension also assisted on scene.
An autopsy report from a Rochester medical examiner determined it was a homicide, but deputies do not know if Madison was killed at the river or if he was placed there later. They have not released how he was killed.
Amazi said authorities do not currently have a suspect but are following leads in the active investigation. She said people should be aware of their surroundings and stay vigilant while the investigation continues.
Deputies are asking for the public’s help, and anyone who had contact with Madison should contact deputies at 507-437-9400 to help track his timeline within the last week.
Madison’s car was recovered Monday at a residence he was staying at on 2000th block of Fifth Avenue Northeast in Austin, which was marked off with crime scene tape Monday and had a squad car outside the residence. The tape was removed from the scene later Monday, and the deputy had left.