Missing American Found Deceased

Source: OPP
Date: Thu May 1 07:19:10 MST 2025

(EMO, ON) – A body recovered from the Rainy River near the Town of Emo has been positively identified as a US citizen missing since December 28th, 2024.



On January 11th, 2025, the Rainy River District Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a request from the International Falls Police Department to assist with a missing person investigation. US law enforcement believed the missing person had attempted to cross into Canada at a location other than a Port of Entry.

A body located in the Rainy River on April 16th, 2025, has been positively identified as 59-year-old, US Citizen Michael TJOSAAS.

Investigation by the Fort Frances OPP in conjunction with the Office of the Chief Coroner and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service, with assistance from the OPP Fort Frances Crime Unit, the OPP Forensic Identification Service and the International Falls Police Department has concluded. The cause of death is consistent with drowning. Foul play is not suspected.