Tragic deaths of woman and children prompt investigation in Lake Michigan

On Saturday, September 13, 2025, multiple incidents involving drownings occurred in Lake Michigan. In Chicago, police recovered the bodies of a 31-year-old woman and a 6-year-old boy near 63rd Street Beach in the 6300 block of South Hayes Drive. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene as part of an ongoing investigation. Earlier the same day, just around 11:30 a.m., the body of a baby girl was also discovered in the lake offshore from 57th Street, raising concerns about the connection between these tragic events. Authorities revealed that within hours, another incident unfolded in Evanston, Illinois, where a missing swimmer was also found dead offshore from Lighthouse Beach. Emergency responders were alerted around 7:01 p.m. after two swimmers were reported in distress. While rescuers successfully helped two individuals, they could not locate a third swimmer who was last seen beyond a break wall. Despite efforts from the Evanston Fire Department and support from the Chicago Fire Department along with the U.S. Coast Guard, the missing swimmer was found around 9:40 p.m. and sadly was pronounced dead. Evanston Fire Chief Paul Polep expressed condolences to the victim's family and highlighted the dangerous nature of the waters, as well as the importance of adhering to posted no swimming signs. The fatalities were seen as connected to a domestic dispute in Chicago, leading to further investigations as officials looked into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the woman and the children at Jackson Park. The tragic events serve as a sobering reminder of the risks present in recreational water activities and the importance of safety measures.