Officials have released the identity of the man discovered dead in the Chicago River over the weekend.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as 52-year-old Ashraf Mahomed.
Police first responded to the scene after receiving a marine distress call early Saturday morning.
The call came in around 7:20 a.m. from the 5200 block of North Virginia Avenue.
This area is located within the Budlong Woods neighborhood on Chicago’s North Side.
The recovery operation took place in the North Branch of the Chicago River, specifically near the edge of River Park.
Chicago Fire Department crews were tasked with pulling Mahomed from the water.
He was pronounced dead shortly after being recovered by first responders.
Investigators spent several hours at the riverbank on Saturday collecting potential evidence.
At this time, the exact cause and manner of Mahomed’s death remain under investigation.
The Medical Examiner has not yet confirmed if the death was accidental or involved foul play.
Authorities have not provided details regarding how long the victim may have been in the water before discovery.
Recent History
The identification of Ashraf Mahomed has brought a somber update to the Lincoln Square and Budlong Woods communities.
Residents who frequent the trails near River Park have expressed growing concern over the weekend’s events.
The 5200 block of North Virginia Avenue is a high-traffic area for local families and outdoor enthusiasts.
This stretch of the North Branch is known for its scenic views, but it has been the site of multiple death investigations over the last decade.
Community safety groups often point to the lack of dense fencing along certain segments of the riverbank as a point of concern.
Police are currently cross-referencing recent missing persons reports to build a timeline of Mahomed’s final 48 hours.
Detectives are also canvassing the neighborhood to see if any residential security cameras captured the victim near the park.
As of Sunday evening, no further information has been made available by the Chicago Police Department.
