DECEASED FEMALE FOUND IN WOODS

On Friday, June 30, 2017, at approx. 9:20 AM the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office located a deceased female in the woods east of Little Norway Drive SE in Bemidji Township while conducting a search for Chelsea Batchelder, age 26, of Bemidji. She was reported missing by a family member who last had contact with her on June 19, 2017 at her residence located in the 1200 block of Little Norway Avenue SE, in Bemidji Township.

Investigators had confirmed through interviews, neighborhood canvasses and reviewing surveillance videos that Chelsea disappeared after walking north on Little Norway Avenue at approximately 8PM on June 19th. The deceased female was identified as Chelsea Batchelder by investigators. The scene was processed by investigators and the body was transported to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office for an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death. The investigation continues at this time.

The Sheriff's Office was assisted by members of the Bemidji Police Department and Reserves, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Minnesota State Patrol, the Beltrami County Sheriff's Posse, Beltrami County Emergency Management and Bemidji Fire.

Anyone with information regarding Chelsea Batchelder's death is encouraged to contact the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office Investigative division at 218-333-9111.

Submitted by,

Sheriff Phil Hodapp