Crime
Bodies of Mother, Infant Daughter, and 6-Year-Old Son Recovered in Lake Michigan Near South Side Beaches
CHICAGO — Authorities are investigating a series of tragic discoveries in Lake Michigan after the bodies of a woman and two children were recovered from the water near South Side beaches over the weekend.
According to the Chicago Police Department (CPD) and Chicago Fire Department (CFD), the first call came just before 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 13, 2025, when emergency crews responded to reports of a child in the water near the 5700 block of South DuSable Lake Shore Drive, close to 59th Street Beach.
Divers recovered the body of a baby girl, believed to be about one year old.
Despite resuscitation efforts, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Later, authorities recovered the body of an adult female in the water near 67th Street Beach.
CPD investigators believe she may be the mother of the children.
A short time afterward, another child’s body — a 6-year-old boy — was recovered in the same area near 67th Street Beach.
Investigators believe he was the sibling of the infant girl.
All three victims were recovered within close proximity of each other along the South Side lakefront.
Police have not confirmed the exact circumstances surrounding the deaths but have opened a death investigation.
The identities of the victims have not yet been released pending notification of family.
No additional information was immediately available as the investigation remains ongoing.
Crime
Noemi Hernandez, Mother of Four Murdered By Her Husband Hector Luvianos Two Days Before Christmas
BATAVIA, Ill. — A devastating domestic homicide has left a family and community in mourning just days before Christmas.
Noemi Hernandez, a devoted mother of four, was fatally attacked in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Dec. 23, in what prosecutors allege was a violent act committed by her husband.
The incident occurred at an apartment building in the 100 block of Church Street in Batavia.
According to court records and police reports, at approximately 4:37 a.m., Batavia police were dispatched after a man contacted emergency dispatchers and stated that he had killed his wife.
Responding officers located the man outside the apartment building and took him into custody without incident.
When officers entered the apartment, they found Hernandez suffering from severe, life-threatening injuries.
First responders immediately attempted life-saving measures; however, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the suspect as Hector B. Luvianos, 37, who was transported to the Batavia Police Department for questioning.
With assistance from the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force, investigators determined the incident was domestic-related and involved only the two individuals. Police emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
On Dec. 24, 2025, Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser and Batavia Police Chief Eric Blowers announced that Luvianos has been formally charged with first-degree murder, a Class M felony under Illinois law.
He appeared in court the same day for a pretrial detention hearing, after which a judge ordered him held in the Kane County Jail while the case proceeds.
The Kane County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene, and an autopsy is scheduled to determine the official cause and manner of Hernandez’s death.
In the wake of the tragedy, Hernandez’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral and related expenses.
In the fundraiser, the family described Noemi as “the heart of her family,” noting that she worked tirelessly, loved deeply, and always placed her children first. Her sudden death, they wrote, has left the family emotionally devastated and financially unprepared.
As an immigrant family with limited resources and no life insurance, they now face the burden of funeral and cremation costs, legal fees, and other unexpected expenses, all while supporting four children grieving the loss of their mother.
The family is asking for community support to allow them to lay Noemi to rest with dignity and focus on healing rather than financial hardship.
The investigation remains ongoing.