Death of Cedar Falls deer hunter being treated as homicide

Police are investigating the death of a deer hunter from Cedar Falls as a homicide.

According to a news release from the Iowa Department of Public Safety, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Appanoose County Sheriff's Office, the body of Curtis Ross, 31, was discovered Saturday in a remote rural area of Appanoose County in south-central Iowa. Authorities said Ross' body was found in the public hunting land around Lake Rathbun at 115th Avenue near Sandy Branch.

The body was transported to the State Medical Examiner's Office in Ankeny for an autopsy, which was being conducted Monday, according to the news release. The full autopsy results are pending laboratory tests.

The suspect or suspects are still at large and should be considered armed and dangerous, the news release states.

Also taking part in the homicide investigation are the Iowa State Patrol, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Appanoose County Attorney, Appanoose County Medical Examiner's Office and the Wayne County Sheriff's Office.

The public is being asked for help in the investigation.

Anyone with information about the case should call the Appanoose County Law Enforcement Center at (641) 437-7100.