David Schultz

📍 Location

📝 Description

David Schultz, 53, a Wall Lake, Iowa truck driver who vanished on November 21, 2023, two days before Thanksgiving, was found deceased on April 24, 2024 in a Sac County farm field near where his semi had been discovered abandoned on County Road N-14 (Union Avenue) at D-15 (190th Street). Iowa authorities identified him by dental records on April 25, 2024 and reported no signs of trauma or foul play. On June 21, 2024, the Sac County Attorney announced the medical examiner’s finding that Schultz died of hypothermia in the setting of acute methamphetamine intoxication, with the manner of death ruled accidental; investigators said severe sleep deprivation after nearly 30 hours of work likely contributed to the circumstances. Large-scale searches had previously covered tens of thousands of acres in the area.

🔍 Circumstances

Schultz picked up a load of hogs late on November 20, 2023 and was last heard from in the early hours of November 21. That afternoon, his Peterbilt semi and livestock trailer were found parked in the middle of the northbound lane of County Road N-14 (Union Avenue) near D-15 (190th Street) in rural Sac County. Deputies found his wallet and cellphone inside the cab; his coat, a towel, a phone charger, and a pocketknife were located across the road. After extensive searches over the following months, a farm worker discovered a body in his field on April 24, 2024 in the 1900 block of Union Avenue, roughly a quarter-mile from the abandoned truck. The Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner identified the body as Schultz and found no trauma; authorities stated no foul play was suspected. On June 21, 2024, officials concluded Schultz died from hypothermia in the setting of acute methamphetamine intoxication, with prolonged sleep deprivation likely prompting a medical emergency that led him to leave the truck and succumb to the elements.

👤 Physical Description

Male, 53, from Wall Lake, Iowa. Identification was made via dental records; personal items including his boots and keys were reported with the remains.

🔗 Sources (10)

👥 Community Contributions

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