Aerial Drone Finds 2 Kids Trapped Under Ice in Kansas Lake: 'Tragic Loss'

A Kansas community is mourning after two children were found dead, their bodies trapped underneath the ice in a nearby lake.

The Linn County Sheriff's Department said in a press release Tuesday, Jan. 28 that aerial drone footage allowed them to find “two missing children who had not been seen for several hours.”

Officers were dispatched to the Lake Chaparral community at approximately 8 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 27.

When deputies arrived, they quickly discovered they needed more resources and called the Linn County Fire Department for additional assistance locating the kids.

"Searchers found evidence leading them to believe the two juveniles had been around the lake," the sheriff's department said.

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Using the aerial drone, authorities confirmed the children were “deceased in the water and trapped under ice.” The Linn County Sheriff's Department contacted the Overland Park Fire Dive Team to recover the bodies.

"Our heartfelt condolences go out to family and friends that have been affected by this tragedy," the press release added.

PEOPLE contacted the Linn County Sheriff's Department for comment but did not immediately hear back.

According to KSHB-TV, Sheriff James Akes confirmed the boys were 8 and 9 years old and friends.

Akes called their deaths “tragic.”

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“It's very heartbreaking for the community, and it's going to take a long time to recover," the sheriff continued.

"I loved everything about him, and I can't believe this has happened," Stephanie Shade, a family friend of one of the victims, told KSHB-TV. "I'm still shocked by it."

Elyse Schoenig, a reporter for the Kansas City news station, shared a photo on X of a memorial at Lake De Lago made for the boys.

Her photo showed two white crosses, held upright by rocks. Attached to the crosses were floral arrangements — one purple and one red.

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"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 told KSHB-TV.

“As the ice shifts, it melts, it refreezes, it shifts, it melts, it refreezes and sometimes there’s a void underneath there. The water is way below the ice, and it causes it to collapse,” Akes added, per FOX 4 KC.

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The children’s school, Jayhawk USD 346, also shared a statement.

“Jayhawk Nation, Our schools are dealing with a tragic loss today,” the Mound City school said via Facebook.

“Our staff is paying special attention to the wellbeing of our students,” the post continued, asking for “Prayers for the families, our staff, and our students!”

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