Body recovered two miles off Evanston shore likely swimmer who vanished six days earlier

EVANSTON, Ill. — A body matching the description a man who went missing while swimming nearly a week ago was recovered two miles offshore early Saturday morning, officials said.

The 41-year-old man who disappeared while swimming on June 30 was part of a small group who began struggling in the water off Lighthouse Beach near Central Street and Sheridan Road. By the time firefighters arrived, an adult female and two teenaged females had been rescued by another beachgoer. One of the teenaged females was treated at a nearby hospital and released.

Despite the use of helicopters, drones and sonar technology, attempts to locate the man were unsuccessful.

Lifesaving tactics on the lakefront: Flip, float & follow

According to authorities, a fishing charter boat spotted a body two miles off Dempster Street Beach at about 6:40 a.m. Saturday and contacted the Coast Guard, who in turn called Evanston firefighters. The firefighters recovered the body.

Evanston police and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office did not confirm the identification of the body as of 2 p.m. Officials said more information would be released when it’s available.

Officials previously said the beach was under a red flag alert on June 30, meaning swimming was not permitted and no lifeguards were on duty.

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