Ely man found dead near snowmobile

Authorities are investigating the death of an man whose body was found near a snowmobile south of Ely on Thursday afternoon.

A 911 caller reported finding the man in Eagles Nest Township on Thursday afternoon. The caller first reported that the man appeared to be injured but later indicated they believed the man was deceased, which was confirmed when emergency responders arrived.

In a news release Friday, the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office identified the man as 70-year-old Anthony Pecha of Ely.

The sheriff’s office says it appears Pecha had collapsed as he attempted to re-attach a sled that he’d been pulling with the snowmobile. The office said there was no indication of the snowmobile being involved in an accident, but it did appear to have been previously stuck in deep snow a short distance away, and then moved.

The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office and sheriff’s office are investigating the death.