Lake where three disappeared now frozen over

CUT BANK — Law enforcement officers in northern Montana have suspended the search for a Canadian man and a Japanese woman who went missing during a fishing trip because the lake has frozen over and recent heavy snow has made it difficult to even access the area.

Glacier County deputies were only able to get within a mile of Mission Lake recently. The agency will monitor the area when road and weather conditions allow.

Three people were believed to have fallen into the lake on Nov. 22. Divers recovered the body of 63-year-old Kazuhiko Hayashizaki of Canada three days later.

Fifty-six-year-old Danny Heland and 75-year-old Fuki Nishibayashi are still missing.

Sgt. Judd Milender issued a statement Tuesday saying the Sheriff’s Office is committed to recovering the missing anglers when it is safe to do so.