No Signs of Foul Play in Deaths of Little Falls Men

LITTLE FALLS (WJON/Townsquare Media) — The investigation into the deaths of two Little Falls men continues and authorities say there is no threat to the public.
The bodies of 34-year-old William Blake and 36-year-old Michael Arndt were recovered from the Mississippi River in Little Falls this week. The two were last seen by the Burlington Northern railroad bridge on the north side of Little Falls.

Little Falls Police Chief Greg Schirmers says the investigation found no sign of homicidal violence and initial results from both autopsies showed signs of fresh water drowning in both cases.

“The circumstances surround this are suspicious and unusual,” Schirmers says. “But initial indications are it appears [that] both individuals drowned.”“At this point, I don’t think there is any threat to the public — there’s no indication of any type of homicidal violence here.”

Schirmers says the investigation is ongoing, and they will continue speaking with witnesses and wait for the final autopsy reports.

Blake grew up in southeastern Minnesota and was a graduate of Hayfield High School.

(Source: WJON/Townsquare Media-St. Cloud)