Overview

• Chicago firefighters launched a full rescue effort on May 12 at 31st Street Beach after reports of a person in distress in Lake Michigan.
• The victim was pulled from the water and later pronounced dead at the University of Chicago Medical Center at 3:46 p.m., according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
• Lake Michigan’s water temperature was 55°F with high winds and choppy waves, conditions that can lead to cold water shock and incapacitate swimmers.
• No lifeguards were on duty, and no swim warnings were issued, as Chicago’s beach season does not officially begin until Memorial Day.
• The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project reports eight drownings on the Great Lakes in 2025 so far, underscoring a rising trend in early-season incidents.