LINN COUNTY, Kan. — The Linn County, Kansas, Sheriff’s Office is investigating the deaths of two boys found Monday night.
Deputies responded around 8 p.m. Monday to the Lake Chaparral community after the relatives/guardians of the children reported they were missing.
Additional resources were called in to help search for the boys.
The search led investigators to believe they were at a lake in the area.
A drone led searchers to the two deceased in the water and trapped under the ice.
Sheriff James Akes confirmed the boys were 8 and 9 years old. He said they were friends; they were not related.
"Tragic. It's very heartbreaking for the community, and it's going to take a long time to recover," Sheriff Akes said.
The exact events that led to their deaths remain under investigation.
KSHB 41 spoke to a family friend of one of the boys who was on her way to check in with the family.
"I loved everything about him, and I can't believe this has happened," Stephanie Shade said. "I'm still shocked by it."
Crews from the Overland Park Fire Department’s Dive Team recovered the bodies from the lake.
Sheriff Akes said it has been around 15-20 years since Linn County has responded to such an event.
Learning more about a tragedy in Linn County, KS. Sheriff’s office confirms bodies of 9 y/o & 8 y/o boys were found trapped under ice on Lake De Lago @KSHB41 pic.twitter.com/VVCABQoFyE
— Elyse Schoenig (@ElyseSchoenig) January 28, 2025
Now, the sheriff's office is considering implementing ice education, safety resources for the community.
"We'd like to remind parents that the ice is dangerous. The ice isn't thick enough to hold up a human body," Linn County Sheriff's Office PIO Dav Mohler said.
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