Missing 73-year-old Wahpeton man found dead in submerged vehicle in Valley City

Alfred Odden's truck was recovered from the Sheyenne River after a week-long search

Apr. 11, 2026 at 4:51pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a car key or other small piece of physical evidence from the submerged vehicle, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.The discovery of a missing man's submerged vehicle exposes the tragic consequences of dementia-related disappearances and the challenges faced by search teams.Valley City Today

A 73-year-old Wahpeton man named Alfred Odden, who had been missing for over a week, was found dead in his submerged vehicle in the Sheyenne River in Valley City, North Dakota. Odden's teal 1994 Ford F-150 with a red topper was pulled from the river on Saturday morning, April 11, after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers temporarily reduced water flow to allow for the recovery.

Why it matters

The tragic discovery of Odden's body ends a week-long search for the missing man, who had dementia. It highlights the challenges of locating vulnerable individuals who may wander or become disoriented, and the importance of quick action and coordination between authorities and family members in such cases.

The details

Odden was last seen on April 1 at a gas station in Valley City. A Silver Alert was issued for him on April 3, and the North Dakota Highway Patrol and Odden's family had been searching for the missing man. The truck was found on Friday evening, April 10, but could not be recovered due to high water levels and strong currents in the Sheyenne River. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers then temporarily reduced water flow from the Baldhill Dam to lower the river levels and allow for the recovery of the vehicle on Saturday morning.

  • Odden was last seen on April 1 at a gas station in Valley City.
  • A Silver Alert was issued for Odden on April 3.
  • The truck was found on Friday evening, April 10, but could not be recovered due to high water levels.
  • The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers temporarily reduced water flow from the Baldhill Dam on April 11 to allow for the recovery of the vehicle.
  • Odden's vehicle was pulled from the Sheyenne River on Saturday morning, April 11.

The players

Alfred Odden

A 73-year-old Wahpeton man who had dementia and was reported missing on April 1.

Valley City Police Department

The law enforcement agency that issued a press release about the discovery of Odden's submerged vehicle.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

The federal agency that temporarily reduced water flow from the Baldhill Dam to lower the Sheyenne River levels and allow for the recovery of Odden's vehicle.

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The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the importance of community vigilance and coordination when dealing with vulnerable individuals who may become disoriented or wander away. It also highlights the challenges faced by first responders and search teams in locating missing persons, especially in remote or difficult-to-access areas.