Chicago authorities are investigating after a body was recovered from the Chicago River on Thursday afternoon.
The discovery occurred around 1:19 p.m. near the 2700 block of South Ashland Avenue.
This location sits along the South Branch of the river on the city’s Southwest Side.
The Chicago Fire Department Marine Unit responded to the scene to assist with the recovery.
Officials confirmed they pulled an unidentified female from the water.
Authorities have not yet released the woman’s name or her approximate age.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office is scheduled to perform an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
Chicago Police Department detectives are currently leading a death investigation at the site.
Police have not stated if they suspect foul play at this stage of the inquiry.
No further details regarding the woman’s identity or how she entered the water have been made public.
Recent History
This stretch of the Chicago River has seen similar tragic discoveries in recent years.
The 2700 block of South Ashland is a heavily industrial area bordering the Bridgeport and Lower West Side neighborhoods.
In nearby waters, police recovered a male body just last summer, which later sparked community safety concerns.
The South Branch of the river is known for high barge traffic and strong currents during heavy rain.
Local residents have previously called for better lighting and security fencing along the industrial embankments.
Recovery operations in this specific area often require specialized dive teams due to the water depth and debris.
This incident marks the third body recovered from Chicago waterways within the last four months.
