Missing Man’s Body Found In Woods

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

— The body of a man reported missing over the weekend was found Tuesday morning in a wooded area at the northern edge of Bella Vista.

Benton County Coroner Daniel Oxford said he removed Jonathan Rasanen’s body from the scene, but would not comment on the cause of death.

Rasanen’s body was discovered about 11 a.m. near Little Sugar Creek near the Arkansas-Missouri border, according to a Bella Vista Police Department news release.

The unmarked road that accesses the area where Rasanen was found lies just to the east of the Bella Vista Animal Shelter.

The 23-year-old Bella Vistan had been reported missing by his mother, Kathryn, on Saturday.

Jonathan Rasanen left the family home at 5:30 p.m. Saturday on a silver and black mountain bike, his mother said.

Kathryn Rasanen told police her son had a bipolar disorder and may have been suicidal.

The case is under investigation, said Lt. Ryan Harmon, Bella Vista police.