On Sunday morning, the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office informed the Marion County Sheriff’s Office of a possible missing person, perhaps located at Cordova Park in Marion County. Since then the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, among other agencies, have analyzed cellphone data, conducted grid searches, utilized sonar, and employed a tracking dog. They are focusing their search at Cordova based on information the missing person was at the Cordova Park on Sunday morning.

Raymond William Welch, 41, has been missing from the area of Lake Red Rock since Saturday, October 15th, at approximately 4:30 pm. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, white tennis shoes, a dark-colored shirt, and a sweatshirt. Raymond is 5’11” tall and weighs about 160 lbs.

If you have seen Raymond or know his whereabouts, please contact Lt. John Plumb of the Oskaloosa Police Department via the Mahaska County Dispatch Center at 641-672-2557.

They are not currently requesting public assistance as they have ample personnel to sufficiently conduct the search. The agencies involved greatly appreciate the public’s willingness to help.

Those assisting in the search include: the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa DNR, Marion County Conservation, Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office, Oskaloosa Police Department, Marion County Emergency Management, Mahaska County Emergency Management, among other agencies.

Any questions or information can be directed to Marion County Dispatch at (641) 828-2220. Point of Contact is Lieutenant Reed Kious, Marion County Sheriff’s Office. There will be an updated press release at 6 pm today.

Update: Central Iowa Underwater Search & Rescue divers are now currently assisting and are in the water at this time.