By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - July 8, 2025

On Friday, July 4, 2025, at 12:58 p.m., the Lake County Sheriff’s Office received a report that a man was submerged at Illgen Falls, which is located within Tettegouche State Park. The caller indicated the person had been underwater for approximately 10 minutes.

Lake County Deputies learned the victim, Hari Kiran Gowd, 25, Overland Park, Kansas, had been swimming with a group. According to the Sheriff's Office, a member of the group saw the victim struggling in the water but was unable to reach him due to the water's depth. 

The St. Louis County Rescue Squad ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) team was requested and successfully located and recovered the victim from approximately 32 feet of water.

The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office has issued a preliminary ruling of accidental drowning.

Other agencies that assisted included Minnesota DNR Conservation Officers, the Silver Bay Police Department, Minnesota State Park staff, the Lake County Rescue Squad, the Lake County Ambulance, and the US Forest Service Law Enforcement.