March 26, 2018 – Just after 5 pm, on Sunday, March 25, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office was called to the Golden Eagle Lodge on Flour Lake up the Gunflint Trail. Kent Merkey, 49, of Minneapolis, MN, was found deceased in his accommodation after a water meter was observed running for an extended period of time.

Merkey, a guest of the lodge, had been staying there alone and had a history of seizures according to a family member. He was transported to Cook County North Shore Hospital. An autopsy is being performed through the Medical Examiner to determine the exact cause of death.