Updated: Tue Nov. 03 2009 18:42:00

CTV.ca News Staff

Police say the search for three missing North Dakota softball players has ended in tragedy, as the women, including one from Manitoba, have been found dead in a vehicle pulled from a pond.

Police Lt. Rod Banyai said authorities are "still investigating" the cause of death for the young athletes.

21-year-old Ashley Neufeld of Brandon, Man., 22-year-old Kyrstin Gemar of San Diego; and 20-year-old Afton Williamson were the focal point of an intense search in southwestern North Dakota since Sunday night.

Police in Dickinson, N.D. said the women made two phone calls to a friend late Sunday evening, asking for help and mentioned that they were near a lake and water.

It was believed that the women were travelling with a small dog in a 1997 Jeep Cherokee and were stargazing.

Officers say the vehicle was found in a pond near northwest Dickinson.

All three women attend Dickinson State University, located in a small city of the same name, about 500 kilometres west of Fargo.

- with a report from CTV's Kelly Dehn