Police: Body Found in Maple Grove Pond Believed Connected to Missing Person’s Case

Maple Grove police announced the finding of a body in a pond that police believe is connected to a recent missing person’s case.

The body was found at 2:20 p.m. Thursday in a pond near 80th Avenue and Lakeview Drive. Police responded after someone reported seeing something suspicious.

The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office Water Patrol was called in to help Maple Grove police following the discovery and recovered the body from the water.

Eighteen-year-old Winston Drepaul had gone missing on March 23. Volunteer searchers had initially located Drepaul’s jacket near the same pond. Sheriff deputies in wetsuits and boats then conducted a search, but did not locate him at that time, citing “poor visibility” in the water.

Maple Grove police said they have been in contact with Drepaul’s family.

“The loss of life is difficult and tragic for any family or community,” said Cmdr. Jon Wetternach in a press statement to CCX News.

Photo of Winston Drepaul/courtesy family

In a recent interview with CCX News, Drepaul’s family said he had been battling mental health challenges.

“About a month ago he got sick, he was having some mental health issues, and we tried and got him help,” said Howa Kamara, Drepaul’s mother, in an April 1 interview with CCX News. “He was hospitalized, and he hasn’t been able to take his medication since he’s disappeared.”

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner was working Friday on making the identification. There were no further updates late Friday morning.

Maple Grove