Death Of Skier Being Investigated By Bayfield County

Norgaard's identity shared, but juveniles remain nameless

[UPDATED] The name of the deceased skier found Sunday is being released by law enforcement, however the names of other juveniles involved in the weekend incident will not be released.

The Bayfield County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of Bjorn Erik Norgaard, 23 of Dundas, Minn. Norgaard was cross-country skiing back to Ashland from Washburn late Saturday night or early Sunday morning, after attending festivities of the Book Across the Bay ski event Saturday evening.

Mr. Norgaard was discovered by a snowmobiler early Sunday morning adjacent to the groomed ice trail between Washburn and Ashland. The trail was designated for the “Book Across the Bay” ski race on Saturday evening. Evidence collected near the body indicated that Norgaard was struck by a vehicle traveling on the ice trail toward Washburn.

On Sunday afternoon a rural Washburn area 16-year-old man reported in person with his father to the Bayfield County Sheriff’s Office identifying himself as the driver of the vehicle involved. He has been cooperating with the investigation. There was also a 16-year-old male passenger in the vehicle who witnessed the event, and who is also cooperating with the investigation. The vehicle involved in this incident is being held and processed for evidence.

The investigation is continuing, upon completion it will be sent to the Bayfield County District Attorney’s Office for his review.

An obituary for Norgaard is available online. Services will be 11 a.m. Fri., Feb. 25, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Northfield, Minn. with Rev. Mark Johnson officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thurs., Feb. 24, at St. John’s Lutheran Church and will continue on Friday one hour prior to the service. A Memorial Service will also be held at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Ashland, Wis. at 7 p.m. Mon., Feb. 28.

Memorials are asked to be given to Northland College, in care of the Bjorn Norgaard Scholarship Fund.

Updated to include information about obituary, services, and memorials.