Safe After Search in Tower Area

Tower, MN — A 76 year old man suffering from dementia who disappeared Monday afternoon has been located safely, local authorities confirmed. The case of Timothy Kotzian sparked an expanded search, but no injuries were reported when he was found.

The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call at approximately 2:20 p.m. on September 14, 2025, from a woman who said her husband, Timothy Kotzian, walked away from their home around 1:30 p.m. and had not returned. The couple resides on Rivers Road, just south of Tower,

Minnesota.

Kotzian, who is known to have dementia, is reported to have left via trails on his property. Search teams mobilized quickly and included the St. Louis County Rescue Squad, Nett Lake Police Department, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conservation officers, and the Minnesota State Patrol. According to reports, Kotzian was last seen by hunters along the Prospector

ATV Trail near 2:00 p.m. The Prospector Trail is a multi use path that connects to various ATV, snowmobile, and hiking trails in the region. At about 6:29 p.m. Monday evening, search crews located Kotzian alive and uninjured. He was then returned to his family.

The quick response by multiple agencies was praised by local residents, especially given Kotzian’s condition. The incident underscores ongoing concerns for the safety of persons with dementia who may wander or become disoriented. Authorities remind caregivers and family members to consider tools like wearable tracking, clearly marked clothing, or regular

check-ins to help reduce risks.