University of Wisconsin releases Davis statement

Former University of Iowa national champion and Cedar Rapids Prairie prep Barry Davis released a statement through the University of Wisconsin on April 2 about the finding of the body at Coralville Reservoir believed to be his 52-year-old brother, Marty Davis. Marty Davis was last seen in January, right before the NWCA National Duals, and was believed to have taken a ride on his snowmobile. Barry Davis was the family's spokesperson and helped lead the search, which was called off after a few days. The idea at the time was that he made have fallen through the ice during the evening trip.

Read Gazetteonline.com's latest on the situation here.

Barry Davis, the head coach for Wisconson, did not accompany the team to Cedar Falls for the National Duals tournament, but did return, leading the Badgers to a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships at the Qwest Center in Omaha, Neb., March 17-20. He earned Coach of the Year honors and coached sophomore Andrew Howe to the 165-pound NCAA title.

Below is the official statement:

MADISON, Wis. – The body of Martin Davis, 52, the brother of University of Wisconsin wrestling coach Barry Davis, is believed to have been found Friday afternoon in Coralville, Iowa.

The Johnson County Sheriff's Office was called to an area in the Coralville Reservoir after an individual in a kayak discovered a body. The Johnson County Sheriff's Office, working with the Johnson County Medical Examiner's Office, recovered the body believed to possibly be Davis. An autopsy will be completed on Sunday to positively identify the body.

“It sounds as if my brother's body has been found,” said Barry Davis. “This will allow closure to this situation for my entire family and it will give us the opportunity to begin moving forward. I want to thank everyone for their love and support during these past few months. I also want to thank the Johnson County Sheriff's Office for their work and cooperation.”

Martin Davis was last seen on Jan. 3 when he left his home on snowmobile. A snowmobiler's helmet, believed to belong to Davis, was found in the Coralville Reservoir about two weeks ago.

Davis, who guided the Badgers to a fourth-place NCAA team finish last month, was named national coach of the year in 2009-10. Davis and his family are asking for privacy from public or media inquiries at this time.