The bodies of two Illinois men who disappeared in Lake Michigan last week were recovered Friday afternoon, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources said in a statement.
A fisherman called 911 around 12:20 p.m. to report finding a body north of a BP breakwater wall, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
“Lake County Marine Unit officers responded and assisted the DNR in recovering the body,” the sheriff’s department said. “The DNR located the other man east of the BP wall.”
Eduardo Rivera Jr., 45, and Salvador Lopez, 32, both of Elk Grove, were found about a mile and a half from where they were last seen on July 5, the DNR said.
Initial investigations revealed that a dozen people were on a boat near Hammond when one of the two men jumped into the lake to swim, said Alex Neel, Indiana State Conservation Commissioner.
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The man began to struggle, and those on board tried to help. A second man jumped in and also began to struggle, Neel said. A third man put on a life jacket before jumping into the water.
Neel said the three men were scattered by wind and waves. The two men without life jackets went under.
The occupants called 911 and conservation officers began searching around 2:40 p.m. Friday. The U.S. Coast Guard located the man wearing the life jacket and took him to the hospital for medical treatment. He was released that same evening.
“Our deepest condolences go out to all friends and family members affected by this case,” the sheriff’s office said.
This investigation is being conducted by the DNR.
