HEARTBREAKING NEWS OUT OF THE LAKE GENEVA AREA TODAY
An Illinois family is grieving the loss of their loved one today after a tragic drowning incident on Geneva Lake this past weekend.
According to a press release sent out by Geneva Lake Police, on Sunday, June 21, 2020 at approximately 6:40 PM the City of Lake Geneva Police and the Geneva Lake Law Enforcement Agency received a call of a welfare check on a boat moored on a buoy in the City of Lake Geneva near the municipal beach. The boat was moored approximately 75 – 100 yards from shore.
Geneva Lake Officers made contact with adults on the boat which was a 2006 24’ Bayliner. Officers learned a 35-year-old male had swam from the boat toward the beach with another adult (witness) at approximately 4:30 PM. The adult witness made it to shore and did not see the victim. The witness informed officers that he went back in the water to look for the victim but did not find him in the water. The witness said that he thought the victim may have made it to shore. The witness looked on the beach and went to two nearby bars looking for the victim. The witness said that after looking at the bars and on the beach again, he then swam back to the boat looking for the victim.
Photo Credit: CBS58-News, Milwaukee
After waiting for the victim until approximately 6:40 PM, they then called the police.
City of Lake Geneva Fire Department was dispatched for their dive rescue team. A MABAS Box Alarm was requested and units from City of Delavan, Town of Delavan, Troy Center, Fontana, Linn, Williams Bay, Whitewater, Sharon, and Elkhorn responded along with Racine Fire Bells to assist.
City of Lake Geneva Police Department deployed their drone and located the victim under the water approximately 50 yards from the shore in approximately 10’ of water. Dive team members were able to recover the body at approximately 8:30 PM. The Walworth County Medical Examiner was requested. The 35-year-old victim is from Wheeling, IL. The name of the victim is being withheld until the family can be notified.
Geneva Lake Law Enforcement Agency was assisted by City of Lake Geneva Police Department, Walworth County Sheriff’s Office and Wisconsin DNR.
The investigation is continuing with an autopsy to be completed.
This sad news is both shocking and tragic, as it touches many Illinois residents who frequent the Lake Geneva area often. OUr thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this very sad time.
