Man found dead near Elma

ELMA - On July 5, 2022 at 9:40 a.m., the Howard County Sheriff’s Office was contacted in reference to a missing person, Chris Dale Pitz, age 51, born on July 5, 1971.

He was last seen the prior evening around 7:30 p.m. The Sheriff’s Office was advised that Mr. Pitz had several medical issues. It was believed he was last seen at a campground at 10444 135th St., east of Maple Leaf. It was reported his vehicle was not at the campground and his cellphone was turned off.

A search party was called to look for Mr. Pitz near the campground. At approximately 11:52 a.m., members of the search party located vehicle tracks and followed them to the vehicle, where they located Mr. Pitz deceased in the driver’s seat.

It is believed he was attempting to leave the campground, but may have had a medical issue. 

Mr. Pitz’s vehicle travelled approximately one-quarter of a mile east through CRP ground, crashing through a tree line and causing significant damage to the front of his 2011 Chevy Silverado. The vehicle continued through another corn field for another half-a-mile  before coming to rest. The vehicle was still running and was still in drive when it was located.

Assisting at the scene were Iowa State Patrol, Howard County Emergency Management, Elma, Riceville, Chester and Cresco Fire Departments, Riceville and Howard County Ambulance, Howard County First Responders, Howard County Conservation, Howard County Medical Examiner, St. Paul’s Maple Leaf Lutheran Church and Cresco Towing & Recovery.