Faribault man dies after rescue from Straight River

Jesse Decoux died Friday evening, hours after Faribault police located him face down in river. Family member were alarmed when the man left for a walk with his two dogs without returning.

March 18, 2023 at 11:54PM

A 53-year-old Faribault man died on Friday evening, hours after police pulled him from the Straight River.

The Faribault Police Department said in a press release on Saturday that "despite life saving measures," Jesse Albert Decoux was pronounced dead on Friday night at the Hennepin County Medical Center. An investigation into DeCoux's disappearance is ongoing.

"The Faribault Police Department wishes to extend our condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Mr. Decoux," the department said in a statement.

Officers received a missing person report in the area of Teepee Tonka Park just after 5 p.m. Friday. Family members said that the 53-year-old had left for a walk with his dogs two hours before, and was late returning home. They were alarmed when one of the dogs returned home visibly wet and without the man in sight.

Canvassing the park area where family located the second dog, officers found evidence that the man fell into the Straight River. The Faribault Fire Department was called in to help. Police say officers located Decoux "face down in the water" approximately 30 minutes after family members first reported him missing.

Officers gave him life-saving efforts before he was taken to the Allina Health Faribault Medical Center. Shortly after, he was airlifted to the Twin Cities in critical condition.

Faribault police say an autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death.

about the writer

about the writer

Kyeland Jackson

St. Paul police reporter

Kyeland Jackson is the St. Paul public safety reporter for the Star Tribune.

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