Officials confirm search of missing 25-year-old in northeast South Dakota

The Daily Republic, Mitchell, S.D.
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Dec. 19—WAUBAY, S.D. — Authorities have confirmed that they have recovered the body of the 25-year-old male snowmobiler who was reported missing Sunday, Dec. 18.

Ben Jorgenson, 25, went missing while out snowmobiling near the Solomon Slough area, approximately six miles south of Waubay, on Sunday, Dec. 18.

The Day County Sheriff's Office, along with South Dakota Highway Patrol, South Dakota Game Fish and Parks, several local community volunteers, and Codington County Search and Rescue began conducting a search south of Waubay, near Bitter Lake in the approximate area of the last phone ping. Search efforts were continued throughout the night.

During the mid-morning hours of December 19, 2022, the Day County Sheriff's Office, South Dakota Game Fish & Parks, South Dakota Highway Patrol, Codington County Search and Rescue, and the help of many Day County community members, located and recovered the body of the snowmobiler from Bitter Lake.

It is believed the individual hit a patch of thin ice and broke through.

No criminal charges are pending.