Press Release from Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe:
Mille Lacs Band Tribal Police today announced the recovery of a body presumed to be that of a 30-year-old Garrison man who was reported missing on May 19. Matthew James Chapel, Jr. went missing on April 11 and was last seen leaving a Vineland residence on Migizi Drive on foot. In the days since he was reported missing an extensive coordinated search has been underway involving multiple law enforcement agencies and dozens of volunteers from the public.
The Mille Lacs County Sheriff’s Office and Tribal Police responded to a 911 call by a property owner on Lake Mille Lacs who spotted a body near Wigwam Bay. Based on the circumstances and the clothing on the body it is presumed to be Chapel, but the identity has not yet been confirmed by the Medical Examiner’s office.
A joint investigation by Mille Lacs County Sheriff’s Office and Mille Lacs Tribal Police is ongoing. If anyone has any additional information about the disappearance or death of Chapel, please contact Mille Lacs Band Tribal Police at (320)-532-3430.
