On July 4, 2011 at approximately 8:00 PM Vessel 1 left Miller Beach in Indiana en route to Navy Pier in Chicago to watch fireworks.  Vessel 1 was cruising 26 knots and upon approaching the Lighthouse Gap breakwater, slowed to approximately 6 knots.  At approximately 10:06 PM three people were walking from the stern along the gunwale up the port side of Vessel 1 to meet with another person on the bow.  Occupant1 was in front, followed by Occupant2, then Victim.  Victim was carrying 2 drinks in his hand and not holding onto the railing.  After Occupant2 reached the bow, she turned and leaned over to see where Victim was since he was not on the bow with the rest of the party.  When Occupant2 did not see Victim, she began yelling for him and alerting the rest of the occupants that Victim was missing.  After the music being played on Vessel 1 was silenced, a search about Vessel 1 inboard and outboard was conducted.  While this was occuring Operator, who was operating Vessel 1, hit the Man Overboard button on his GPS and made a radio call that they had a man overboard.  Operator turned Vessel 1 around to look for Victim.  They were met by a sailboat who said they saw a head on the surface of the water go under, and tried using a lifesaving device with negative results.

All persons aboard Vessel 1 report they did not see Victim go over the side, nor did they know exactly where he was standing before he fell overboard.  Operator and occupant3 were at the operator''s console inside Vessel 1.  Another person was on the stern of Vessel 1.  Two others were below decks in the cuddy cabin.  another was on the bow, and Occupant1 along with Occupant2 were making their way to the bow at the time Victim went overboard.

At approximately 10:11PM US Coast Auxilary (USCGA) boat 067 received the call of man overboard and responded to Vessel 1 in approximately 30 seconds.  USCGA alerted US Coast Guard station Chicago (USCG), Chicago Police Marine Unit (CPD), and Chicago Fire Boat (CFD).  The three agencies arrived on scene at approximately 10:15 PM.  USCG boarded Vessel 1 to collect information and establish a track line for a search grid.  CPD put a diver in the water at approximately 10:16 PM in the location relayed by the assisiting sailboat.  Vessel 1, USCG, USCGA, and CFD ran the search line grid until approximately 2:16 AM with negative results.  CPD divers search recovered a red shirt which was found to be worn by Victim''s.

July 5, 2011 CPD divers returned to the location Victim''s body was reported as seen.  At approximately 9:10 AM Victim''s body was found face up in 25 feet of water approximately 300 yards of shore.  Victim was wearing swimming shorts only.   


A supplimentary report will follow with CPD Detective final report and Cook County Medical Office''s Autopsy Report.

Chicago                       