LAKEVILLE, MINNESOTA—A multi-agency search concluded late Tuesday morning in Ritter Farm Park in Lakeville, Minnesota, after authorities located a missing adult male who was reported as potentially being a danger to himself, according to the Lakeville Police Department. Lakeville Police, with the assistance of the Lakeville Fire Department and the Dakota County Special Operations Team (SOT), conducted an exhaustive search of Ritter Farm Park both Monday evening and Tuesday morning. Sadly, the individual was found deceased late Tuesday morning.

The incident began when Lakeville Police received a report of a missing adult male in the area of Ritter Farm Park. Law enforcement and emergency response teams were dispatched early Tuesday morning to continue a search effort that began the previous evening. Around 8:45 a.m. on November 12, 2024, Lakeville Police, Prior Lake Police, the Dakota County Sheriff's Department, and Dakota SOT joined forces to intensify the search across the park and surrounding areas.

By 9:30 a.m., additional support from the Lakeville and Farmington Fire Departments was brought in, and the park, including the Ritter Farm Dog Park, was temporarily closed to the public. According to the Lakeville Police Department, the park and dog park will remain closed until the subject is released to the Medical Examiner. Authorities have confirmed that no foul play is suspected and that there is no threat to the public. Once the scene is cleared and the subject is released to the Medical Examiner, Ritter Farm Park is expected to reopen fully by mid-afternoon.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues or experiencing thoughts of self-harm, help is available. Here are some resources:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

• Call 988 (24/7, free, confidential support)

• Visit 988lifeline.org for chat support and additional resources.

Crisis Text Line

• Text HELLO to 741741 (24/7, free support via text)

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

• Call the NAMI Helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) (Mon-Fri, 10 a.m.–10 p.m. ET)

• Visit nami.org for information and support.

Trevor Project (for LGBTQ+ Youth)

• Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678 (24/7 support)

Local Resources in Minnesota

• Minnesota Warmline: Call 651-288-0400 or Text “Support” to 85511 (Mon-Sat, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.)

Written by: Will Wight

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