NEED TO KNOW
- The bodies of a woman and two children found in Lake Michigan over the weekend have been identified
- The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the three as 31-year-old Drake Patton, her 1-year-old daughter and her 6-year-old son
- Chicago police are investigating the deaths
The bodies of a woman and two children found in Lake Michigan over the weekend have been identified.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the three deceased people as 31-year-old Drake Patton and her children — 1-year-old daughter Jream Washington and 6-year-old son Wyatt Patton, per CBS News, the Chicago Sun-Times and NBC News. Autopsy results are pending.
Jream was discovered around 11:23 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 13 near South DuSable Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, police said, according to NBC News, ABC7, and CBS News.
Drake and Wyatt were subsequently found on East Hayes Drive — about a mile away — around three hours later, per NBC News.
Chicago police are investigating the deaths. Police previously said the deaths are believed to be connected and likely stemmed “from a domestic dispute.” No arrests have been made.
On Tuesday, Sept. 16, loved ones held a balloon release at 57th Street Beach to honor the victims. The 1-year-old’s father, Brandon Washington, told CBS News that Patton “loved her kids” but had mental health struggles.
“She had depression that she needed to be dealt with,” he said, per the outlet. “She was struggling as far as help—it was never a domestic, she loved her kids.”
Washington also said that Patton sent him concerning texts before the family was found dead, with another loved one adding that the mother “couldn’t get the help she needed,” CBS News reported.
The discovery came hours before crews recovered the body of a missing swimmer from Lake Michigan that same day, according to ABC7.
Authorities were notified of three men struggling in the water at 2611 Sheridan Road at around 7 p.m.
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Two of the swimmers were rescued. The body of the third swimmer was found at around 9:40 p.m.
“Our deepest condolences go out to the victim’s family and loved ones,” Evanston Fire Chief Paul Polep said in a statement, per ABC7. “This is a constant reminder to anyone that these waters are dangerous and should adhere to the posted no swimming signs. We thank our regional partners, including MABAS Division 3, the Coast Guard, and the Chicago Fire Department, for their swift assistance.”
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