NORTHWEST, IA – The remains discovered near a deserted truck on a remote highway in northwest Iowa have been identified as 53-year-old truck driver David Schultz. Schultz was reported missing just before Thanksgiving last year.
While Schultz has been positively identified using dental records, the circumstances of his death remain unclear. The Iowa Department of Public Safety announced that an autopsy did not reveal any signs of trauma or significant injury. They also indicated that foul play is not part of their current suspicions. The full autopsy results are still awaited.
The discovery of Schultz’s body came after a tip-off to police, leading them to a location not too far from where his abandoned truck was discovered last November.
Sarah Schultz, David’s wife, said that the body found was wearing boots identical to her husband’s. His keys were in the pant pocket, confirming her worst fears.
David Schultz was last seen when he left their Wall Lake home late on November 20 to pick up a consignment of pigs. The load was expected to be delivered the following morning. After he failed to turn up and could not be reached by phone, Sarah reported him missing.
The deserted truck, with the pigs still in the trailer and David’s personal items, including his wallet and phone, was found the same afternoon, barely 10 miles from his scheduled drop-off point. His jacket was found by the roadside.
The area where Schultz’s body was ultimately found had been thoroughly searched immediately after he disappeared, including using drones. Over 250 volunteers also covered an additional 100,000 acres. One lingering question is whether the body had been at the discovered location all along or had it been moved there recently, adds Jake Rowley, regional team leader of United Cajun Navy, a nonprofit rescue group involved in the search.
Sarah Schultz remembered her husband as a loving family man who emphasized respect and hard work for their kids.