CHEROKEE COUNTY—Authorities are investigating the drowning death of two men in Kansas.

On Tuesday night, authorities began searching strip mining pits in Cherokee County for two men from Joplin, according to a media release from the Sheriff's Department.

&nbsp;The men's families reported they didn't return home following a day of fishing.

Early Wednesday, a deputy sheriff located the vehicle they had been in at Mined Wildlife Land #40, northwest of Columbus Kansas, near Northwest 70th and StarValley Road.

Officials recovered the bodies of 70-year-old Robert Sleep and 71-year-old Stephen LeMasters from the water. The initial investigation indicates both men fell through ice and drowned. Although no foul play is suspected, autopsies will be conducted in Kansas City.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614272962304.png" alt="Location of the drowning in Southeast Kansas -Google map" />
 <figcaption>Location of the drowning in Southeast Kansas -Google map</figcaption>
 </figure>CHEROKEE COUNTY—Authorities are investigating the drowning death of two men in Kansas.On Tuesday night, authorities began searching strip mining pits in Cherokee County for two men from Joplin, according to a media release from the Sheriff's Department.&nbsp;The men's families reported they didn't return home following a day of fishing.Early Wednesday, a deputy sheriff located the vehicle they had been in at Mined Wildlife Land #40, northwest of Columbus Kansas, near Northwest 70th and StarValley Road.Officials recovered the bodies of 70-year-old Robert Sleep and 71-year-old Stephen LeMasters from the water. The initial investigation indicates both men fell through ice and drowned. Although no foul play is suspected, autopsies will be conducted in Kansas City.

Sheriff: 2 men fishing in Kansas fell through ice, drowned