Friends of Isanti woman found dead: ‘She had a heart of gold’
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The flags were lowered outside the Rum River Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2735 in Isanti to honor Amanda Jo Vangrinsven, who worked as a server there.
Co-workers held close to her memory as word spread that her body was found Tuesday night by law enforcement.
An autopsy is being conducted to officially identify the body and the cause of death, according to investigators.
“There are no words that can describe how this community has felt," said Sarah Cisar, a longtime friend.
The Isanti County Sheriff’s Office and several other law enforcement agencies served a search warrant on a property in the 300 block of 261 Avenue NW in Athens Township, where Vangrinsven’s body was later found.
Amanda Jo Vangrinsven.[BCA]
The scene was still sealed off Wednesday while investigators could be seen working the death investigation.
The sheriff’s office said they are treating Vangrinsven’s death as suspicious. At this point, there is no one in custody, according to authorities.
Last Thursday evening, the 32-year-old left the VFW to go with a man to a bar in Bethel. She was spotted leaving the bar with that man later that night and hadn’t been seen since, according to loved ones.
A woman who said she’s the spouse of the man last seen with Vangrinsven wrote to 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS that he is now in a mental health facility. She added that she is “actively cooperating” with law enforcement.
“My heartfelt sympathy and prayers go out to Amanda’s family and friends," she wrote.
The Vangrinsven family spokesperson told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS they are “incredibly heartbroken” and in contact with law enforcement awaiting answers.
For several days, searchers combed the land near where Vangrinsven’s cellphone last pinged, looking for clues.
“It was not the outcome that the community or the family was looking for,” said Nathan Kadlec, former search leader. “We are completely saddened as to what has gone on.”
A press conference with details about the investigation is being planned in the coming days, authorities said.