Benton County Death Investigation Ruled An Accident

SAUK RAPIDS -- Authorities have ruled the death of a 22-year-old St. Cloud man an accident.

Benton County Sheriff Troy Heck says the medical examiner has determined Seth Juedes died from a combination of intoxication and exposure to cold temperatures.

Juedes was reported missing on December 6, after he was last seen alone and on foot at about 2:00 a.m. in the parking lot of a business at 500 66th Street Northwest in Sauk Rapids.

Authorities say Juedes was out with friends in St. Cloud before leaving them for another bar. At the bar, he met a group of men and after becoming friends left with them to an establishment in Rice.

Video evidence shows once they realized the business was closed, Juedes refused to get back in the car and walked away on foot.

His body was found the next day at about 11:00 a.m. near the intersection of County Road 33 and Highway 10, or about a half mile south of where he walked away.

Heck says Juedes' family hopes others will learn from this event and make good decisions to spare families the grief and pain of losing a loved one.