Gov. Kristi Noem Wednesday asked South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg to launch an investigation into Minnehaha County's top prosecutor following his extended absence from work.

Minnehaha County State's Attorney Aaron McGowan disappeared from office following a police incident that took place at his home on the evening of July 13. He returned to work Sept. 9, refusing to comment on the reason for his absence to the Argus Leader other than to say he was out for unexplained medical reasons.

In a letter to Ravnsborg, Noem cited the “extended absence” for her request. Under state law, the governor has the authority to remove law enforcement officials from office. The law states there are grounds to remove officials who “willfully fail, neglect, or refuse to perform any of the duties imposed upon him ... or who shall be guilty of intoxication or drunkenness.”

More:Sioux Falls police left no public record of call to top prosecutor's home

Noem’s letter states that the attorney general has the duty to supervise offices of states attorneys. And following Argus Leader reports about McGowan’s absence, the governor said an investigation is necessary.

“Due to these media reports, the public information that has been disseminated, and several inquiries into the office of the governor, our office formally requests an investigation into this matter.”

The letter continued: "An investigation is necessary to determine if grounds for removal exist or not. This is a matter of public interest and swift resolution is prudent."

McGowan did not respond to requests for comment, but a paralegal in his office emailed a statement to media organizations late Wednesday afternoon saying McGowan is aware of the pending investigation and looks forward to its resolution.

"Due to the pendency of this investigation, the State's Attorney will not be commenting further until its conclusion," read the statement.

An Argus Leader investigation into McGowan's absence from work determined that several squad cars were called to his home the evening of July 13, but no public record of the police call exist via police call logs or police radio traffic.

Metro Communications, which processed the call, declined to share a recording of the 911 call.

The Attorney General last month said he was looking into the Sioux Falls Police Department's handling of the call, but this week said that no formal investigation materialized.

After returning to work last week, McGowan lashed out at the Argus Leader, characterizing its reports as "false accusations" and "inaccurate."

Ravnsborg told the Argus Leader in an email Wednesday that an investigation "will begin immediately."

"I have full confidence in the men and women of the Division of Criminal Investigation to gather the facts for me," he wrote, "and I hope that everyone involved will be cooperative as we try to get answers for the governor and the public as soon as possible."

McGowan, 45, was first elected to office in 2008. He is up for re-election next year.