Body found south of Charles City; may be linked to missing person

Press staff report

Authorities are investigating a body found south of Charles City Friday morning.

The body was found in the area where law enforcement officials earlier this week had requested the public’s help in locating a missing Grundy Center man, and indicated that foul play was suspected in his disappearance.

A news release from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation said the body has not been positively identified, but it did note that the body had been found in the area where the missing man was being sought.

The Floyd County Sheriff’s Department was notified of the discovery of the body by a farmer Friday morning, near 290th Street and Shadow Avenue about 10 miles south of Charles City.

The Sheriff’s Office, the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office and the DCI are continuing to investigate.

Anyone with information about activity in the area of 290th Street and Shadow Avenue about Oct. 25 is asked to call the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office at 641-228-1821.

State authorities said earlier this week that they are still looking for Michael Bruce Johns, age 28, of Grundy Center, who was reported missing in late October.

“We do believe foul play was involved in the situation,” said DCI Special Agent Scott Reger.

The Grundy County Sheriff’s Office and the DCI were interested in any sightings or contact with Johns in the area between Charles City, Rockford, Greene and south of Nashua.

Based off of two photos from security footage, law enforcement believed Johns was last spotted wearing a white baseball cap, a green or dark-colored Under Armor hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans and white/gray tennis shoes. He was last seen between Greene and Charles City at about 6 a.m. on Oct. 25.

Johns is described as 5 feet, 7 inches tall and about 180 pounds.

Anyone with information about Johns was asked to call the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office at 319-824- 6933, or contact Cedar Valley Crime Stoppers at 855-300-TIPS (8477).