On September 21, 2010 at 1732 hours, Itasca County Sheriff’s Office dispatch received a call of an ATL/Welfare Check on a missing person (Perry Lee Pine 6-25-1958) of Squaw Lake. Upon responding to the location, an Itasca County Deputy was informed Pine had last been seen on September 18, 2010 at 1830 hours when he left the residence, walking to a business in Squaw Lake. Perry Pine is described as Native American, 5’11" and weighing around 175 pounds. He has brown eyes and black shoulder-length hair. Pine was last seen wearing light colored blue jean and a beige or gray sweatshirt and white tennis shoes.

The Itasca County Sheriff’s Office, Leech Lake Tribal Police Department, and the Itasca County Search and Rescue conducted a search of the area and were unable to locate Pine.

On November 25, 2011 at 1400 hours, Itasca County Sheriff’s Office dispatch received a call of skeletal remains found on private property in Squaw Lake. The skeletal remains were found approximately one-half mile from the Pine residence and were believed to be that of Pine.

Minnesota BCA crime lab assisted in processing the scene. An autopsy was performed on the skeletal remains and no foul play is suspected.

On January 16, 2012 Itasca County Sheriff’s Office received the results of the DNA testing that was performed on the skeletal remains. The results confirmed that the remains were that of Perry Lee Pine.