Linn County sheriff reports two juveniles found dead in frozen lake; officials call incident a likely accident

Sherry Vikes, speaking for the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, told county commissioners that on Jan. 27 deputies responded to reports of two missing boys in the Lake Chaparral area and that search teams discovered the juveniles deceased in icy water.

Vikes said deputies found a bicycle on the ice that led searchers to focus on the lake. An aerial drone located the children; dive teams from Overland Park and the Kansas Wildlife and Parks underwater drone unit retrieved the bodies. “Even though the official coroner’s report has not been completed, this incident is believed to be a tragic accident,” Vikes said.

The sheriff’s office summary said law enforcement, fire personnel and dispatchers responded, using aerial and underwater assets during the search. A civilian later reported breaks in the ice where the boys were found, and drone footage showed tracks on the ice that investigators said suggested the children had been walking across the lake before falling through.

Vikes described a Jan. 29 critical-incident debriefing that included peer support specialists from Linn and Miami counties and multiple first responders. “It was our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends that have been affected by this tragedy,” Vikes said; she also noted extensive mutual‑aid offers from neighboring counties in the event’s aftermath.

Commissioners did not take any formal action during the meeting related to the incident; Vikes answered commissioners’ questions and outlined plans for follow-up briefings and cost discussions for recovery efforts.

The sheriff’s office stressed that official cause and final determinations await the coroner’s report and any subsequent investigation.

The county scheduled additional internal briefings and said it will coordinate support and any operational costs related to the response as details become available.