Body of missing Iowa trucker found in a farm field near abandoned big rig; wife suspects foul play

The body of an Iowa trucker who was first reported missing in November 2023 was found in a farmer’s field in Sac City, Iowa.

The Iowa Department of Public Safety was informed that a body had been found at around 2 p.m. local time Wednesday.

David Schultz’s wife, Sarah Schultz, says that the body is indeed the missing Mr. Schultz. She was able to help law enforcement confirm his identity by checking the boots the body was wearing.

She suspects something untoward happened.

“I can’t think of any reason why he would have walked a mile and a half out into the middle of a field and laid down and taken his coat off. And shut his truck off. … Things don’t add up, don’t line up. I suspect foul play,” Ms. Schultz said.

The place where it was uncovered is close to where the semi of missing trucker David Schultz was found after he was declared missing.

“I had a feeling he would be found for some reason when the farmers were getting their fields ready,” Ms. Schultz said at a news conference.

Mr. Schultz, 53 at the time he disappeared, was the father of two kids.

Mr. Schultz was reported missing on Nov. 21, 2023, after failing to drop off a load of hogs in Sac City. He had left his home the night prior and picked up the swine before heading off, stopping at one truck stop and then continuing to Sac City. His semi was found on Nov. 21 with his wallet and phone inside, with nothing missing from the wallet, the Sac County Sheriff’s Office said.

Iowa DPS did not identify the body, only saying that it was sent to the state medical examiner for an autopsy. The cause of death is unknown.

“I’m glad we know where he is now,” Ms. Schultz said. “There’s still a lot of questions. Things don’t make sense. But we have him now. I did have to break it to the kids yesterday. They still held out hope.”