UPDATE ON RED LAKE ICE RECOVERY NOVEMBER 28, 2017

Waskish, MN – On Sunday, November 26, 2017 at approximately 9:30 PM, the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office received a report of two missing anglers from Upper Red Lake. A friend of one of the missing anglers reported that her friend, a 29 year old female from Princeton, MN who had traveled with an acquaintance, a 28 year old male from Stacy, MN to Rogers Resort, located on the south shore of Upper Red Lake, in Shotley Township, had not returned as previously planned. Shotley Township is located approximately 60 miles north of Bemidji, MN.

The two had rented a sleeper fish house from Rogers Resort through noon on Sunday, November 26, 2017. The two had not returned to the resort and the vehicle driven by one of the anglers was found still parked at the resort. Numerous attempts to contact the anglers were made by Deputies, family and friends and Deputies searched the rented fish house and surrounding area and cabins but were unable to locate the pair. The area was also searched by state patrol aircraft equipped with thermal imaging after midnight on Monday morning to no avail.

The two were reported by witnesses to have been seen at the resort the evening of Friday, November 24, 2017 and then again during the day on Saturday, November 25, 2017.

Shortly after 3PM on Monday, November 27th, 2017 two bodies were recovered from Upper Red Lake. They were identified as MELISSA MARIE SEIDENSTRICKER, age 30, Princeton, MN and ZETH GREY KNYPHAUSEN, age 29, of Stacy, MN. Their next of kin have been notified. The bodies were transported to the Sanford Medical Center Morgue for autopsy by the Beltrami County Coroner.

A hole in the ice had been located and subsequently checked by searchers and through the use of a side-scan sonar confirmed the presence of the ATV. Additional items located near the open water lead rescuers to believe both missing individuals were in the water. Poor ice conditions were a hindrance to the recovery efforts.

The Beltrami County Sheriff's Office was assisted by family members, local resorts, DNR, State Patrol, Kelliher-Waskish Fire-Rescue, Blackduck Ambulance, Bemidji Fire Department, Blackduck Police Department and the Lakes Area Dive Team.

The Sheriff's Office reminds anglers that ice is never perfectly safe. Anglers are asked to check with the local resorts on the current ice conditions and open water and report in with the resorts on where they will be fishing and check in with them often. Remember, cold water kills quickly-be prepared before venturing out onto any ice. Have the proper gear and clothing. Know the weather report prior and keep an eye on the weather for changing conditions.

Sheriff Phil Hodapp