Karen Schwarck, 59, of Trillium Heights on Mackinac Island and her sister Edith Bonno, 57, of Canton Township were both pronounced dead at the scene, according to Mackinac Island Police Corp. Andy Dziobak.

“It’s very sad,” said Dziobak. “The victims had been out on a photography excursion Sunday but when they didn’t return by 10:15 (p.m.) last night, Schwarck’s husband reported them missing and a search was organized.”

The bodies of the woman were found about four hours later at the bottom of a steep hill off West Bluff Drive, Dziobak said. The area is west of the Grand Hotel.

Searchers included police, Allied EMS and the Mackinac Island Fire Department, he said. Alcohol was not a factor in the accident, police said.

Schwarck’s husband, Donald, is a former South Lyon city councilman and former high school teacher.

Funeral arrangements were incomplete, according to a police press release.

There have been at least 15 snowmobile deaths reported across Michigan since December 11, 2009, according to state police.

Karen Schwark, from Mackinac Island and her sister Edith Bonno from Canton went missing last night.

Schwark’s husband called police when the women did not come back from going out and shooting photos.

They were found early this morning at the bottom of a steep hill on West Bluff Drive.

Northern Michigan’s News Leader has a crew on Mackinac Island working to bring you a full report on the deadly accident.