“Brian Daley” is a common name, and more than one man with that name has died in 2026. This page separates the two records I could verify, so details are not mixed up. It does not suggest the two men are related. Neither record below should be confused with older Brian Daley obituaries from other years and states.
Which one are you looking for? Check the town and date before reading further. The first record is the most recent.
Latest Update: October 2, 2026
As of October 2, 2026, the most recent report concerns Brian Daley, 60, of Utica, Minnesota. KTTC reported that authorities found his body in the Mississippi River on the evening of Friday, October 2. The Winona County Sheriff’s Office said he was found about 1.5 miles south of Lock and Dam 5, in Minnesota waters. I found no obituary or service details for him yet.
Record 1: Brian Daley, 60, of Utica, Minnesota
Daley was reported missing to the Winona County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at about 5:15 p.m. Deputies found his vehicle at about 9 p.m. that night and started a water search. His boat was later found near Merrick State Park, on the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi River in Buffalo County. Reports describe the boat in slightly different ways: one says it was tied off along the shoreline, and an update says it was found floating unattended on Thursday. Buffalo County deputies believed it had run out of gas.
The Winona County Sheriff’s Office worked with the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies to search both sides of the river. The cause and manner of death have not been released, and no one should guess. I found no funeral home notice, list of survivors, or service information.
Record 2: Brian A. Daley, 50, of Olathe, Kansas
Brian Albert Daley was born on March 20, 1975, and died on March 2, 2026, after what his obituary calls a short battle with cancer. His obituary was published by Penwell-Gabel in Olathe. He served in the United States Air Force, and he worked as Chief Information Officer for the Blue Valley School District. He also served on the Blue Valley Board of Education. His family describes him as a devoted husband, father, son, brother, and grandfather, known for his loyalty and quick wit.
Quick Table
| Record | Brian Daley | Brian A. Daley |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 60 | 50 |
| Place | Utica, Minnesota | Olathe, Kansas |
| Date | Reported missing Sept. 30, 2026; found Oct. 2, 2026 | Died March 2, 2026 |
| Source | KTTC and KIMT news reports | Funeral-home obituary |
| Cause | Not released | Cancer |
| Services | Not found | See the funeral home listing |
Reader Questions
Who is Brian Daley?
It depends on which one you mean. The two recent records are a 60-year-old man from Utica, Minnesota, and a 50-year-old man from Olathe, Kansas.
Was Brian Daley found in the Mississippi River?
Yes, a 60-year-old Brian Daley of Utica, Minnesota, was found in the river on October 2, 2026, according to the Winona County Sheriff’s Office.
What was Brian Daley’s cause of death?
The Olathe man died of cancer. For the Utica man, no cause has been released.
Who was Brian A. Daley of Olathe?
He was an Air Force veteran, the Chief Information Officer for the Blue Valley School District, and a member of the Blue Valley Board of Education. He died on March 2, 2026, at age 50.
Where can I find service details?
For the Olathe man, check the Penwell-Gabel obituary page. For the Utica man, none had been published when I checked, so look for a funeral-home notice.
Wrap-Up
The two records are separate and should stay separate. One is a well-documented obituary from earlier this year, and the other is a new and still-developing case with few details released.
As of October 2, 2026, the Utica case has no announced cause or service plans, and the Olathe obituary is complete. If you tell me which Brian Daley you mean, I can write a focused article.
Disclaimer
This article is based on news reports and an obituary checked on October 2, 2026. Early reports can change as an investigation continues. It does not combine details between different people. Please respect the families’ privacy. If you are grieving, consider reaching out to family, friends, or a local support service.
