On July 12th, 2025, at approximately 11:21 AM, the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a body located in the Mississippi River north of the Cassville ferry landing.
Upon arrival, deputies, along with members of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Clayton County Medical Examiner’s Office, recovered the body of an adult male. The individual was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office will be conducting an autopsy to determine the identity, cause, and manner of death. This incident remains under investigation by the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office.
***Update:
The Clayton County Sheriff’s Office, in cooperation with the Clayton County Medical Examiner’s Officer, has confirmed the identity of the individual whose body was recovered from the Mississippi River on July 12th, 2025.
The deceased has been identified as 41-year-old Neven Soknic, who was reported missing on July 9th, 2025. Soknic’s body was discovered in the Mississippi by fisherman north of the Cassville ferry landing.
The cause and manner of death remain under investigation. An autopsy was performed by the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office, and preliminary findings are pending toxicology results. Authorities do not suspect any foul play at this time.
Submitted for release by: Sheriff Brent W. Ostrander