Minnesota man found dead in BWCA likely died by suicide

A Minnesota man likely died by suicide at a campsite in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness before he was discovered earlier this week by a group of canoe-campers on Brule Lake, according to local law enforcement officials.

The body of 36-year-old Justin Sperl, of Marshall, Minnesota, was recovered August 14 from Brule Lake.

Based on the initial findings, it appears Sperl died by suicide at a campsite on the large BWCA lake, Cook County Sheriff Pat Eliasen told WTIP Thursday, August 17. The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office will make a final and official determination regarding how Sperl died, Eliasen said.

Sperl had been the subject of a missing person report filed Thursday, August 10. His vehicle was located at the Brule Lake landing the following day. Ed Belmore, the law enforcement officer for the U.S. Forest Service, made contact with Sperl Friday, August 11. In conversation with Belmore, Sperl stated that he was fine and was only out canoeing, according to Eliasen. Three days later his body was discovered by a group looking for a campsite on Brule, according to information shared with WTIP.

Brule Lake is a massive body of water located inland from Lutsen and Tofte. It is five miles from a gravel road known as ‘The Grade.’ At more than 4,200 acres, it is the second largest lake located entirely within the BWCA.

This is the third death in the BWCA this summer. In May, a man from Texas died on Seagull Lake at the end of the Gunflint Trail. In June, a young man from Wisconsin drowned on Gillis Lake, south of Tuscarora Lake in the BWCA.

WTIP’s Joe Friedrichs spoke with Cook County Sheriff Pat Eliasen about this story and other news and information from the summer of 2023. Audio below.

Joe Friedrichs August 17, 2023