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.
Chicago authorities have identified 16-year-old Harmony Mitchell as the victim of a fatal shooting that occurred earlier this week in the Washington Park neighborhood.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed her identity following her death on Saturday evening, October 4, 2025, after two days on life support.
According to the Chicago Police Department (CPD), officers responded to multiple calls reporting a gunshot inside a residential building near 56th Street and Michigan Avenue around 7:09 a.m. on Thursday, October 2, 2025.
Initial reports suggested the possibility of a self-inflicted gunshot; however, upon arrival, officers found Harmony inside a bedroom with a gunshot wound to the chin.
The teen was transported to Comer Children’s Hospital, where she was placed on a ventilator in the intensive care unit in critical condition.
Despite the efforts of medical staff, Harmony succumbed to her injuries on Saturday evening.
Detectives are treating the case as a possible accidental shooting, though police have stated they do not believe Harmony shot herself.
A firearm was later recovered in an alley behind the residence, while investigators found a shell casing and a trail of blood inside the apartment.
No arrests have been made at this time, and Area One detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
Tips can be submitted anonymously at CPDTip.com, or by contacting the Chicago Police Department’s 2nd District at (312) 747-8366.