How man died in septic tank remains a mystery

The rural Brainerd man found dead in his septic tank Friday has been identified as Dale G. Peterson, 71, of rural Brainerd.

But how Peterson ended up in his septic tank wasn't known, Crow Wing County Sheriff Todd Dahl said in a telephone interview Sunday afternoon.

Peterson had been missing for about a week when friends notified the sheriff's department of his disappearance on Friday, Dahl said.

Friends and employees of the sheriff' department searched Peterson's property on Crow Wing County Road 2 in Daggett Brook Township and eventually learned Peterson had fallen into his septic tank, Dahl said. The Brainerd Fire Department also was called to the home at 4:45 p.m. Friday.

Foul play is not suspected in Peterson's death, Dahl said, but a sheriff's investigator has been working to determine how Peterson ended up in his septic tank.

"We really don't know what happened," Dahl said. "It's all speculation right now."

Funeral services for Peterson are scheduled at 1 p.m. Saturday at First Lutheran Church in Brainerd.