Edina man drowns at High Falls in Tettegouche State Park
This story was updated at 2:38 p.m., Aug. 12, with the victim’s identity and additional information.
The body of a 54-year-old male was recovered on Aug. 11 at High Falls in Tettegouche State Park.
At 11:34 a.m., the Lake County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call stating that a male had jumped off the High Falls within Tettegouche State Park and had not resurfaced.
Once on scene, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Enforcement Officers deployed an underwater ROV near High Falls. At approximately 1:46 p.m., the body of the 54-year-old was located by the ROV at the base of the falls.
Authorities said in an Aug. 11 media release that the identity of the victim was being withheld until the family can be notified.
The Lake County Deputies, Lake County Rescue Squad, Silver Bay Police Department, Tettegouche State Park Rangers, Minnesota DNR, Minnesota State Patrol, and Lake County Ambulance Service responded to the call.
The following day the Lake County Sheriff’s Office released the name of the individual. The victim has been identified as Gregory Corniea, 54, from Edina, Minn.
In a Aug. 12 media release, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office said Corniea was visiting the North Shore and Tettegouche State Park with family. Corniea had jumped from the top of the High Falls and authorities said “it appears the victim hit his head on the rocks near the base of the falls while entering the water.”
Family called law enforcement after Corniea did not resurface.
Corniea was transported to the Midwest Examiner’s Office for an autopsy, as is standard protocol, law enforcement said.
“Lake County Sheriff Nathan Stadler would like to express his sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Corniea,” the media release said. “Sheriff Stadler would also like to thank all responders for their quick response and assistance during this incident.”
This is the second drowning fatality at Tettegouche State Park within the last month. On July 4, a 25-year-old Kansas resident drowned at Illgen Falls within Tettegouche State Park.
Kalli Hawkins August 11, 2025
