Posted: 11/20/02

Missing college student is nephew of FL couple

A college student in Wisconsin who has been missing for two weeks is the nephew of a Forest Lake couple.

Michael Noll disappeared in Eau Claire Nov. 6 on the night of his 22nd birthday, said his uncle, Jim Noll of Forest Lake.

Jim Noll and his wife Rose have traveled to Eau Claire on numerous occasions in the past two weeks to be with family and help with search efforts. The missing student is the son of Jeff and Carol Noll of Rochester. He is a student at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Jim Noll, an industrial arts teacher at Southwest Junior High School here, said the search for his brotherís son is focusing on the Chippewa River.

Noll said tracking dogs have led police officials to locations along the river bank where the search has intensified.

Divers who have searched the river for the missing 22-year-old have been helped by Steve ìMooseî Hallin and Tom Borchardt, two Forest Lake-area divers with professional diving experience.

Michael Nollís father is a secondary math teacher in the Rochester school district. His mother is a nurse at St. Maryís Hospital.

Michael Noll was last seen leaving a bar on Water Street in Eau Claire at 11 p.m. on Nov. 6 after a birthday celebration. Jim Noll said it is likely Michael Noll attempted to walk the one mile distance from the bar to his home before disappearing.

While some media reports have attempted to show links in recent cases of missing college students in Eau Claire, Minneapolis and Collegeville, Jim Noll says the Noll family has discounted the possibility of any connection in the disappearance of Michael Noll.

A fund has been established to assist the Michael Noll family. Donations to the Michael Noll Rescue and Relief Fund can be sent to Sterling State Bank, P.O. Box 369, Rochester, MN 55903.

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