The bodies of David Thalman and Francesca Warick, both 20, from Illinois were recovered on Monday morning off Washington Island in Lake Michigan. The couple had been reported missing after a kayaking trip over the weekend near the notorious Death's Door strait in Wisconsin.
Authorities from the Door County Sheriff’s Office and Washington Island Police Department stated that the couple was found after going missing during their trip. The strait, located across from the Door Peninsula, is known for its turbulent waters and has been the site of hundreds of shipwrecks since the 19th century. It is a common crossing point for kayakers traveling between the Door Peninsula and Washington Island.
According to the joint press release, investigators do not believe either Thalman or Warick were wearing life jackets at the time of their disappearance. Their deaths are currently under investigation, but officials suspect drowning as the cause.
Jane Lee, broker-owner of a RE/MAX office in Lake Bluff, Illinois, described Thalman as a dedicated employee. "You don't see a lot of young people like that anymore today," Lee told FOX 32. "He's very focused, always on time. We trust him 100 percent."
Lee also noted that Thalman's family owns a cabin on Washington Island. Concern grew when he did not respond to work-related calls and texts after leaving for the weekend. Upon hearing the news, Lee said, "We all cried. Everybody was in shock." She added, "We feel a huge loss."
Francesca Warick, who was a twin, is remembered in her obituary as a young woman who "brought joy to everyone around her." She is described as "a bright, happy, and free-spirited young woman whose beautiful smile and kind heart left a lasting impression on all who knew her. She loved her family deeply and treasured every moment spent with them."