The Grand Haven community is grieving the significant loss of two local individuals, Daniel Meyers, aged 65, and Jason Aemmer, aged 49. Their bodies were distressingly found in Round Lake, located in Mason County, Michigan, after their snowmobiles fell through the dangerous ice on Sunday, December 14, 2025.
The situation began with a missing persons alert around 12:30 a.m. on Sunday, as family members were unable to reach the two men, who they believed were riding on snowmobile trails in the adjacent Lake County.
Initially, the search concentrated on that area, but it was later expanded into eastern Mason County by 4:30 a.m. following a vital discovery. A search team member found snowmobile tracks on Sugar Grove Road leading directly onto the ice of Round Lake in Sheridan Township; however, troublingly, no tracks were found leading away from the lake.
The Challenging Search and Recovery Operation
Due to severe snowfall and the darkness early that morning, first responders—a collaborative group that included the Mason and Lake County Sheriff’s Offices, Michigan State Police, and several fire departments—had to halt the search on the icy surface until daylight.
The search was reinitiated with increased determination on Sunday morning. Rescuers swiftly identified a snowmobile helmet several hundred yards from the shore. By utilizing a drone, law enforcement confirmed that there was a hole in the ice near this helmet.
The recovery effort proved to be extremely perilous due to the fragile and unsafe ice. Rescuers trying to access the area constantly found themselves falling through the surface. To handle the treacherous conditions safely, an airboat from the Manistee County Sheriff’s Office was brought in.
Dive teams from the Michigan State Police and the Mason County Sheriff’s Office were also summoned. In spite of the safety measures, one diver from the State Police fell through the ice but was quickly rescued due to being tethered to another diver, illustrating the risks encountered by the recovery teams.
Ultimately, both Daniel Meyers and Jason Aemmer were retrieved from roughly six feet of frigid water, with their two submerged snowmobiles discovered in proximity.
Community Reaction and Recognitions
The community is profoundly affected by this loss, as Daniel Meyers was a well-regarded individual, known for being the former music professor at West Shore Community College and the current head of arts and humanities at Muskegon Community College, where he had worked for 15 years.
This unfortunate incident highlights the significant hazards linked to the early-season ice and the importance of safety while snowmobiling. Authorities continue to investigate the matter.
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