According to a KFYR TV report August 2: The identities of two kayakers found in the Sheyenne River in Fort Ransom have been released. They are 69-year-old Anton Schaffner of Zeeland and 12-year-old Sterling Schaffner of Bismarck. The Ransom County Sheriff’s Department says this is an ongoing investigation, but no drugs or alcohol were involved.

Previously reported:

FORT RANSOM, N.D. (KFGO) – The Ransom County Sheriff’s Office says the bodies of two kayakers were recovered from the Sheyenne River at Fort Ransom. First responders were called out shortly after 4 p.m. Sunday July 28, 2024, on a report that the kayakers had launched north of Fort Ransom and were supposed to meet the rest of their family at Sportsman Landing but they never arrived at the meeting point. The family then spotted two kayaks below the dam and called 911.

First responders recovered one of the victims 5 to 6 miles down the river on Sunday. The second victim was recovered approximately 1⁄2 mile from the dam Monday.

Their names will be released on Friday Aug 2.  They were not from this area