Body of kite surfer found

By Steve Sharp of the Daily Times staff
Tuesday, November 20, 2007 12:44 PM CST

TOWN OF KOSHKONONG - The body of a 40-year-old man who was kite surfing Monday on Lake Koshkonong was recovered early today by a law enforcement boat patrol on the southeast side of the lake.

Pronounced dead at the scene by Jefferson County Coroner Patrick Theder was Jeffrey S. Meissner of Huntley, Ill. The cause of Meissner's death was unknown this morning and an autopsy will be conducted. The incident is under investigation by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department.

According to Jefferson County Sheriff Paul Milbrath, dispatchers received a complaint of Meissner being missing at 8:12 p.m. Monday. He was said to likely be kite surfing on Lake Koshkonong.

At approximately 8:45 p.m. coordinates were obtained through a cellular phone provider showing the location of Meissner's cell phone. It was located near W8717 White Crow Road, on the north-central portion of Lake Koshkonong to the east of Caracajou Road.

At 9:13 p.m., Meissner's green, 1997 Saturn was located by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department. A search of the immediate area around the vehicle was conducted while requests for assistance were made to the Fort Atkinson and Lake Mills fire departments, which provided boats and personnel.

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The Jefferson County Sheriff's Department Boat Patrol was also activated. A mutual aid request was made to the Rock County Sheriff's Department, which provided boats and additional personnel from the Milton Fire Department.

Boats began searching the lake at 11:15 p.m. using thermal imaging devices and spotlights. At approximately 1:25 a.m., a sail and surfboard were located on the southeast side of the lake and Meissner's body was found about 25 minutes later by the Rock County Sheriff's Department Boat Patrol and Milton Fire Department.