A somber recovery effort unfolded below Palisade Head at Tettegouche State Park on Monday, July 6, after a body was spotted on the rocks beneath the cliff. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office says the deceased man has been identified as 64‑year‑old Michael Morse of Duluth, and the case remains under investigation. The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office is assisting with the inquiry.
Recovery and investigation
According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, a call came in at 11:13 a.m. Monday reporting a body at the base of the cliff. The agency’s Marine Unit and Rescue Squad responded to the scene and recovered Morse from the rocky shoreline. Officials say the operation drew support from several partners, including the Minnesota DNR Marine Unit, the Minnesota State Patrol and the Lake County Ambulance Service, as reported by WDIO.
A second death this year
Morse’s death is the second recovery from Palisade Head in 2026. In late May, a Tettegouche State Park ranger discovered another body at the same cliff. That victim was identified as Seth Pipho of Minneapolis and was also recovered by the sheriff’s marine unit and rescue squad. Authorities say that earlier case is still under investigation, according to the North Shore Journal.
Palisade Head’s hazards
Palisade Head, a volcanic headland within Tettegouche State Park, is famous for its sheer, undeveloped cliffs and sweeping Lake Superior views. The top of the formation rises to about 335 feet above the lake, a dramatic draw for climbers and sightseers year‑round. Those same postcard‑worthy drop‑offs, however, make any fall especially dangerous, according to the Minnesota DNR and historical accounts summarized on Wikipedia.
Officials urge caution
In the wake of the latest incident, officials are again warning visitors to respect the edge. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office and park staff are urging people to stay well back from unprotected cliff lines and to be especially careful during busy summer weekends, when crowds and distractions can compound the risks posed by the steep terrain, according to FOX 9.
What happens next
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office says the Midwest Medical Examiner is conducting examinations to determine Morse’s cause and manner of death, and that the investigation is ongoing. Anyone who may have information related to the case is asked to contact the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. The agency also publicly thanked its local partners for their assistance during the challenging recovery effort, per WDIO.
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