WAPELLO, Iowa–On Jan. 2 at approximately 9:45 a.m., sonar discovered a silver pickup south of the Toolesboro Landing on the Mississippi River near the mouth of the Iowa River. After further examination of this vehicle, investigators confirmed it as that of Michael Steven Bishop Jr’s. They then requested additional resources, and at approximately 8:15 p.m., they recovered the vehicle from the Mississippi. They then confirmed that they found Michael Bishop, Jr. deceased inside his vehicle.

Authorities will have an autopsy performed to determine exact cause of death, but do not suspect foul play.

The Louisa County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the entire community that pulled together to help the Bishop family find their missing loved one. The Sheriff’s office would like to especially thank the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Wapello Fire and Rescue, Towboat Diving Services (Jeremy and Mike Honts), Muscatine Search and Rescue, Chaos Divers, the Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office, the Corps of Engineers, Louisa County Emergency Management, and multiple local companies and individuals who donated man hours and resources to assist in this search and rescue.