Mark Arends, 53, of Alden was killed during a nighttime coyote hunt on private land about two miles north of Alden on Sunday, October 8, 2023. The group of hunters had separated by several hundred yards when, at approximately 8 p.m., Arends was struck by a single rifle shot. He was taken to Hansen Family Hospital in Iowa Falls and pronounced dead.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office responded and opened an investigation; the State Medical Examiner’s office was reported to perform an autopsy. Officials emphasized the need for target identification when hunting at night. As of initial reports, investigators had not released information about arrests or suspects and were working to piece together what happened.

Did anyone in the area see or hear anything related to that hunting party on the night of October 8, 2023?