Man, 77, found dead in lake outside his home near Mankato

A man was found dead in a lake outside his home east of Mankato in a suspected drowning.

Richard E. Schoenstedt, 77, of Elysian Township, was last seen Monday afternoon swimming in Lake Francis, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Emergency personnel were notified about 7:30 p.m. that Schoenstedt may have gone under, the Sheriff's Office said. Neighbors told the would-be rescuers that Schoenstedt had a life jacket with him while swimming.

The life jacket was located on shore about 30 feet from where Schoenstedt was last seen in the water, the Sheriff's Office added. His body was located in that area of the lake about an hour later.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482