ST. CHARLES, Ill. (WLS) — A body of a missing kayaker was recovered in the Fox River Thursday morning, the St. Charles Fire Department said.
On Thursday, the fire department said a person called 911 at 5:58 a.m. and the body was located in the river near the Great Western Trail Bridge.
He was honored by friends and family at a vigil Thursday night.
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The body has been positively identified as the missing kayaker.
The coroner’s office identified him as 25-year-old Taylor Russell of Hanover Park.
It was around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday when the St. Charles Fire Department said they got a call about a person in the Fox River near Ferson Creek.
Investigators believe two people were on kayaks fishing at night when one kayaker fell into the water.
Officials believe another boat was also involved in the incident, but it’s not clear how.
While loved ones came together for a vigil, mostly in silence, their heartbreak spoke volumes as they remembered the life of Russell just feet away from the Fox River here where his body was pulled from.
“He was doing everything he could to get his life together,” brother Joe Cochiaro said. “He was raising his little boy, and that little boy was everything to him.”
The place that brought Russell now brings his family pain.
“He did what he loved, and he was getting back into fishing,” Cochiaro said. “Never expected the kid that you held as a baby, you’re going to have to go and wait for police to do something like this.”
Loved ones gathered Thursday nigh at Ferson Creek Park in St. Charles to pay tribute to the young father who was pulled from the nearby Fox River.
“Just the pictures that I’ve seen from that day, he had a smile on his face,” Cochiaro said. “All I could do was hope that he was going to be okay. The way Taylor was, I kept expecting for him to just walk up behind me and kind of, like, ‘What are you guys doing here?'” 4:52
Daeshawn Eubanks told ABC7 that he and his best friend, who he says is the missing man, often kayaked together here on the Fox River until tragedy struck Tuesday night.
That’s when he says another boat was speeding without its lights on and apparently knocked his friend into water, and he hasn’t been seen since.
“Devastating,” Eubanks said. “That was my best friend of over 10 years.”
Officials also said it appears the missing kayaker was not wearing a life jacket at the time of the incident.
Eubanks claims he and his friend were wearing life vests despite investigators saying the missing kayaker did not have on one.
Fire officials said they were also able to get in contact with the operator of the boat, and that is part of their investigation.
“The assumption is that either a wake, or potentially the boat. But the boat was involved. We don’t know exactly what happened,” Mauthe said.
“You have to do better,” Eubanks said. “That’s completely unsafe, dangerous for anyone in the water.”
Family and friends are now planning to support Russell’s wife and their only son, who, at this point, doesn’t know and is still waiting for his father to come home.
“As a child, trying to process something like that… it’s indescribable and unimaginable,” Cochiaro said.
“The St. Charles fire chief confirmed another boat was involved in some way, but he says those circumstances are under investigation.
State Senator Don DeWitte issued the following statement:
“I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the St. Charles Fire Department and the many agencies that came together in this highly coordinated search effort. The professionalism, persistence, and compassion demonstrated by these first responders exemplify the very best of public service.”
“While this outcome is heartbreaking, their tireless work has brought a measure of closure to the family and loved ones affected by this tragedy. We are reminded once again of the vital role these brave men and women play in our communities every day.”
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