Boater’S Body Still Missing, No Clues Found Father Of Two Possibly Fell Into Hayden Lake After Working On Boat Motor; Is Presumed Dead

More than two weeks have passed since Michael Morzewski was last seen heading to the waters he loved most.

An avid fisherman and outdoorsman, Morzewski planned a quick jaunt on Hayden Lake.

He told family members he was off to test a new boat motor. He’d return shortly to greet his two daughters when they returned from school.

A day later, his green fiberglass boat was found banging against the rocky shoreline.

Morzeski was missing, presumed drowned.

Since then, family members and Kootenai County Sheriff’s detectives have struggled to find clues to his disappearance.

“We’ve pretty much assumed he was gone,” said Julie Schmidt, Morzewski’s sister-in-law. “Even an Olympic swimmer couldn’t have made it.”

Family members believe Morzewski may have goosed the motor and fallen overboard. The boat may have sped away, leaving him in the 42-degree water without a quick way to get out.

Sheriff’s detectives have continued to comb the lake’s surface, shorelines and bushes.

“We’ve been out there virtually every day since he’s come up missing,” said Sgt. Brad Maskell. “We haven’t found any signs of him.”

If Morzewski did fall overboard, he would have been lucky to swim 50 yards, officials said.

Morzewski’s body is believed to be somewhere between Evernade and English Point, based on witnesses’ accounts and where his boat was found.

And although that area is small compared to the lake’s 4,000 acre area, it’s still about a mile of water that reaches depths of 120 feet.

“We’re basically looking for a needle in a haystack,” Maskell said.

Witnesses reported seeing water skiers on the lake at the time Morzewski was there.

Maskell said he’s still looking for anyone who may have been on the lake that day.

Morzewski, 36, moved to North Idaho 10 years ago, after his wife’s family suggested moving to Coeur d’Alene. Not only did he and his wife move, so did her parents, her sister, cousins and aunts and uncles.

Family was everything to Morzewski.

Soon after he and his wife, Beth, moved to Post Falls, they started a family.

First came Hillary, now 9 years old. Three years later, Megan followed.

“He was a good father,” Schmidt said.

He took the girls everywhere. Fishing. Parasailing. Camping.

Morzewski had a entrepreneur’s spirit. He started a bow-making business and a speciality clothing business with family members. He worked as a photographer, taking wedding photos and videos.

Six years ago he began managing Diamond Parking’s downtown Coeur d’Alene parking lots.

Like Morzewski’s family, Diamond employees are waiting for news.

“It’s terrible, because customers don’t know what to do. They wonder if there will be a memorial service,” said Donald Grote, who has stepped up to help manage the parking lots.

The family said they won’t hold a service until they know for sure what happened.

This sidebar appeared with the story: HOW TO HELP Donations Family members have set up a memorial fund at Sterling Savings Bank. Donations can be made at any bank location in Michael Morzewski’s name. The money will help pay education costs of Morzewski’s two daughters.