CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. (AP) -- Authorities have a preliminary cause of death for the soldier found dead in the Chippewa County Forest -- hypothermia due to exposure.

The sheriff's department says in a news release Wednesday that although they have a preliminary cause of death, the results of toxicology tests are still pending.

The body of 20-year-old Russell Plummer of Cornell was taken Wednesday to the Ramsey County medical examiner in Minnesota for further study.

Plummer's body was found Tuesday evening about 30 to 40 yards from his vehicle. His family reported him missing after he failed to show up for National Guard duty over the weekend.

Plummer had returned home on Oct. 21 from a military training session in Maryland.