In a tragic turn of events, the Iowa truck driver who went missing last fall and was recently found dead in a farm field died of hypothermia related to acute methamphetamine intoxication, according to an autopsy report. The state medical examiner, Dr. Kelly Kruse, determined that the death of 53-year-old David Schultz was accidental, as reported by the Sioux City Journal.

Schultz, a truck driver and farmer, was discovered lifeless on April 24 in a Sac County field, located approximately a quarter-mile away from where his semi-truck had been parked on November 21. Kruse, ruling out homicide, stated that Schultz had apparently consumed methamphetamine and then became exposed to the cold.

The temperatures had dropped below freezing in the days following Schultz's disappearance. He had left his Wall Lake residence late on the night of November 20 with the intention of picking up a load of pigs from a hog confinement near Eagle Grove. His plan was to then deliver the pigs the next morning to a livestock dealer in Sac City, a small town situated about 90 miles northwest of Des Moines. However, when Schultz failed to show up as expected, repeated attempts to reach him via phone proved futile.

After Schultz's wife reported him missing, his truck was discovered later that afternoon, less than 10 miles northeast of his intended destination. Remarkably, the pigs were still inside the trailer. Schultz's wallet and phone were found inside the rig, but his jacket was discovered on the roadside.

Law enforcement authorities conducted a thorough search of the area, and over 250 volunteers joined in the extensive effort to find Schultz. Sadly, his body remained undiscovered until springtime. State medical examiner Dr. Kelly Kruse did not immediately respond to an Associated Press phone message seeking additional details.

The report highlights the tragic circumstances surrounding Schultz's death, with the combination of hypothermia and methamphetamine intoxication ultimately proving fatal. The autopsy findings bring closure to this mysterious case, shedding light on the unfortunate demise of a hardworking truck driver and farmer.

As the community mourns the loss of David Schultz, this incident serves as a tragic reminder of the dangers associated with drug use and the importance of addressing substance abuse issues within society.