Body of Joe Brunn found in Otsego, Minn. on Day 5 of search

OSTEGO, Minn. (KMSP) - The body Joe Brunn was found by volunteer searchers Thursday morning in Otsego, Minn., his family confirmed. More than 4,000 volunteers spent 5 days searching for the missing 23-year-old from Monticello, Minn.

“Joe was a great man, great person,” Brunn’s uncle Steve said. “We’re so glad that he’s back with us.”

Wright County sheriff's officials confirmed a body was found at about 11:30 a.m. Thursday, about 300 yards south of the Highway 101 bridge and 30 feet from the Mississippi River shoreline. The Midwest Medical Examiner's Office has not officially confirmed an identification, but the search for Brunn was suspended and his family confirmed the discovery at a 3 p.m. news conference.

Wright County sheriff's officials are investigating the circumstances of Brunn's death. Brunn was last seen leaving Boondox Bar and Grille in Otsego, Minn. around 1:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, Oct. 3. He left behind his car and was seen walking from the bar toward a cornfield.

Thursday was Day 5 of the organized search effort, which brought more than 4,000 volunteers to the area. United Legacy, a private search and investigation firm, conducted an extremely-organized search with assistance from the Wright County sheriff's office.