Iowa Department of Public Safety
Larry L. Noble, Commissioner
215 East 7th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319

Body Identified in Crawford County

Crawford County, IOWA --- The body that was discovered on June 19, 2012, along the railroad tracks in rural Crawford County, has been positively identified by the State Medical Examiner’s Office.  The identity has been confirmed as being Jonathan Elwell 44 years old of Shillington, PA.  Mr. Elwell was reported missing in April 2012 by the Shillington, PA Police Department after his abandoned rental car was discovered along a Crawford County road.  His body was discovered approximately 1 ¼ miles from where his rental car was found two months prior.

Positive identification was made by comparing known dental records of Mr. Elwell.  At this time, foul play is not suspected.

This investigation was conducted by the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Union Pacific Railroad Police, the Iowa State Patrol, the Shillington, PA Police Department, and additional assistance was provided by the Denison Fire Department and the Vail, IA Fire Department.

For additional questions, please contact Sheriff Jim Steinkuehler (712)263-2146

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