According to a family member, Eddisa Gisely Concepcion, a 24-year-old graduate student at UIC, says was being adventurous and doing a “polar plunge” with the two male friends.
The three jumped into the powerful waves, near North Avenue Beach in Chicago on Friday, December 21st.
One man was able to swim to safety. The other man was rescued by the Chicago Fire Department. Eddisa was pulled under by the waves and was not visible.
On Sunday, January 6th, I received a call from Eddisa’s father asking for our help. Looking at the next break in the Chicago weather, it wouldn’t be until Thursday before the winds would allow for us to get on the lake.
Wednesday, January 6th, one of our volunteers, Jeff Casper, and I drove to Chicago. Thursday morning, we arrived at the Diversey Yacht Club by 7:00 a.m. and we prepared the boat and equipment. We talked with Eddisa’s father and the Chicago PD, to get the details of the accident. We searched throughout Thursday and Friday and must report that Eddisa is no longer in this area. There had been a lot of high winds and very large waves for many days prior to our arrival. This area is very shallow for several miles off shore. When you have this kind of wind and waves, it is very likely to move objects laying on the bottom. It is very important for people to realize how critical it is to get Bruce’s Legacy out to do the search sooner than later.
Our sincere condolences go out to Eddisa’s family.