Chicago man’s drowning ‘undetermined’ with startling spate of water deaths

An Illinois man whose physique was pulled from the Chicago River amid a startling spate of water deaths was discovered to have drowned, although the way wherein he died was dominated “undetermined,” officers mentioned. 

Richard Garcia was discovered to have drowned within the river after disappearing from his South Facet house in March, a spokesperson for the Prepare dinner County Medical Examiner’s Workplace informed The Submit.

The 46-year-old’s physique was recovered April 13 from the waters close to the Columbus Drive Bridge. 

His family members mentioned he was nonetheless sporting his FedEx uniform when his stays have been positioned.

Whereas the trigger is now recognized, investigators have to date been unable to find out the way of his dying, which ranges from murder or suicide to unintentional, pure or, as on this case, “undetermined.”

Customers on a Fb web page devoted to Garcia’s reminiscence referenced his mental health historical past and their perception that he took his personal life. 

Garcia was one in every of not less than 16 folks whose our bodies have been faraway from Chicago-area waterways for the reason that starting of 2022. The style in not less than six of these deaths was listed as “undetermined.”

Victims recovered from Chicago-area waters: 

• Noah Enos, discovered June 2023. Trigger/method: pending
• Unidentified lady, discovered Could 2023. Trigger/method: unavailable
• Richard Garcia, discovered April 2023. Trigger: drowning, method: undetermined
• Seamus Grey, discovered April 2023. Trigger: drowning, method: undetermined
• Joel Orduno, discovered March 2023. Trigger: drowning, method: undetermined
• Anthony Rucker, discovered February 2023. Trigger: drowning, method: suicide
• Krzysztof Szubert, discovered December 2022. Trigger: drowning, method: accident
• Peter Salvino, discovered December 2022. Trigger: drowning, method: accident
• Hayward Brown, June 2022. Trigger: drowning, method: accident
• Daniel Sotelo, discovered Could 2022. Trigger: drowning, method: undetermined
• Natally Brookson, discovered Could 2022. Trigger/method: undetermined
• Karina Pena Alanis, discovered April 2022. Trigger: drowning, method: suicide
• Yuet Tsang, discovered April 2022: Trigger: drowning, method: undetermined
• Unidentified lady, discovered April 2022. Trigger/method: unavailable
• Unidentified man, discovered April 2022. Trigger/method: unavailable
• Kathleen Martin, discovered March 2022. Trigger: drowning, method: undetermined

One of many newest to be pulled from the water was 26-year-old Noah Enos. Enos’ physique was recovered June 17, 5 days after he vanished following a rock live performance at an area music corridor, the Salt Shed, roughly a block from the place he was discovered.

Officers have but to launch the trigger and method of his dying.

His household is working with non-public investigators “to search out justice for Noah,” his father, Steven Michael Enos, wrote on a GoFundMe web page.

Enos’ girlfriend, Nicole Wijs, fought again tears throughout a vigil final month as she mentioned: “I do know Noah wasn’t the primary one to go lacking and be discovered within the river, and I certain as s—t hope that he’s the final.”