The bodies of two 20-year-old Chicago-area kayakers were recovered in the waters off Washington Island, a popular tourist destination in Door County, Wisconsin, officials announced Monday.
The kayakers — David Thalman of Dundee, and Francesca Warick of South Elgin, went missing near the island, where Green Bay and Lake Michigan meet, and on Sunday a rescue effort became a recovery mission, according to the Door County sheriff’s office.
Recovery operations continued throughout Monday with personnel from the Washington Island Police Department, Gibraltar Police Department, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Door County sheriff’s office leading efforts in the area where the kayakers were last known to have been.
Around 10:55 a.m. Monday, Thalman was found, according to the sheriff’s office. A short time later, searchers found Warick. Drowning may have been a primary cause of death for the 20-year-olds, officials said.
Washington Island, home to about 600 people, is reached by taking a 5 mile ferry ride from the northeast tip of the Door Peninsula in Door County across the once-treacherous waters of Death’s Door, where Green Bay and Lake Michigan meet, according to Destination Door County’s website. Visitors can tour remote parks, lavender and cherry farms and island festivals.
The Door County Sheriff’s Office said the incident remains under investigation.