Cedar Falls Hunter's Death Considered A Homicide

APPANOOSE COUNTY, IA — A man who died over the weekend while he was deer hunting in southern Iowa was the victim of a homicide, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation reported Monday. Curtis Ross of Cedar Falls died of a gunshot wound.

Ross, 31, was initially reported missing. His body was discovered Saturday in rural Appanoose County in a remote hunting area around Lake Rathbun. An autopsy conducted Monday led investigators to classify the death as a homicide, based on preliminary findings.

The DCI cautioned anyone who hunts in the Lake Rathbun area to be aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious activity. They said they have no suspects in the case, but they consider the person who shot Ross to be armed and dangerous.

The area where Ross' body was found was "well off the beaten path," DCI special agent Michael Motsinger told KCCI-TV. Motsinger added: "I feel the public really needs to be concerned."

The DCI is working with the Iowa State Patrol, Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the sheriff's offices in Appanoose and Wayne counties in the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the Appanoose County Law Enforcement Center at 641-437-7100.

Photo via Division of Criminal Investigation