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, and on Sunday rescue efforts turned into 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 kayakers’ last known location.
Thalman’s body was found around 10:55 a.m. Monday, according to the sheriff’s office. A short time later, searchers found Warick’s body. Drowning may have been the primary cause of death, officials said.
Washington Island, home to about 600 people, is reached by 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 attend island festivals.
The Door County Sheriff’s Office said it is continuing to investigate.