The body of a missing 46-year-old Jewell man has been found. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department received a call early Monday evening from a local farmer who was out doing field work.
The farmer observed a New Holland backhoe matching the description of the one that Kenneth Heckman had been operating. Deputies were dispatched to the area and found the tractor belonging to Heckman two miles northeast of Kamrar in a wooded area along a creek.
The body believed to be that of Heckman was recovered in the creek, a short distance away from the tractor. It has been delivered to the State Medical Examiner’s Officer for a positive identification.
Hamilton County Medical Examiner Dr. Joseph Latella has ordered an autopsy to determine the cause of death. No foul play is suspected.
Heckman was last seen last Thursday, May 16th. He was reported missing the next day on May 17th.
By Pat Powers, KQWC, Webster City