Investigation Ongoing For Motorist Found Deceased

Mahaska County Sheriff’s Department

A Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office Press Release

Mahaska County, Iowa – On Wednesday, February 8, 2017 at approximately 6:40 PM two motorists traveling in the 2900 block of Highway 63, Oskaloosa stopped to help what they thought was a stranded motorist located in the center median of the highway. The motorists discovered that the driver of the 2007 Chevy pickup was deceased.

The Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office and the Mahaska County Medical Examiner responded to the scene. A preliminary investigation indicated that the motorist had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound while traveling southbound on the highway.

The identity of the deceased adult male is being withheld pending notification of family members. As part of this investigation an autopsy has been scheduled with the State Medical Examiner’s Office. The investigation into this incident is continuing.

The Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office was assisted with this investigation by the Oskaloosa Police Department, the Iowa State Patrol, and the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office.

On Friday the sheriffs office stated that Michael Anthony Townsend of Ottumwa was the deceased motorist.