Body of final missing canoeist recovered near Curtain Falls in Boundary Waters

Reis Grams’ body was found Monday after more than two weeks of searching.

The Minnesota Star Tribune
June 4, 2024 at 12:10AM
Two canoes went over Curtain Falls. The body of the final missing paddler was recovered Monday. (Walsh, Paul)

The body of Reis Melvin Grams, the final canoeist missing since an accident at Curtain Falls in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, was recovered Monday morning, according to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office.

Grams, 40, of Lino Lakes, was found west of the site of the May 18 accident. His body was flown by plane to the Ely seaplane base. Searchers, including the St. Louis County Rescue Squad, recovered Jesse Haugen, the other missing canoeist, last week.

On the day of the incident, authorities received a call that two canoes had gone over Curtain Falls. One had been in distress and the other assisting. Two men, Grams and Haugen, were missing and one was badly injured. The search for the men lasted more than two weeks and included help from the National Guard.

Grams was a co-owner of Touchdown Tile in Ham Lake, according to his Facebook page. He and his wife, Angie Grams, have two young sons.

Kyle Sellers of Ham Lake and Erik Grams, brother of Reis, survived going over the waterfall, while Jared Lohse, of Cambridge, remained at the group’s campsite.

about the writer

about the writer

Christa Lawler

Duluth Reporter

Christa Lawler covers Duluth and surrounding areas for the Star Tribune. Sign up to receive the new North Report newsletter.

See More