In Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, one of two missing individuals from Chicago was tragically discovered dead after a boating accident in the Wisconsin River, as reported by the Wisconsin Dells Police Department.
On Friday around noon, a search aircraft found a suspicious item underwater, leading the authorities to dispatch a search boat to the location. Sadly, they found the missing person submerged in the water and confirmed deceased.
Wisconsin Dells police said the body found has been identified as 75-year-old Luis F. Di Filippo, of Chicago.
Francesco L. Di Filippo, a 20-year-old Chicagoan, remains missing.
The two boaters were originally reported missing after on Thursday.
The incident unfolded at approximately 4:24 p.m. on Thursday when reports came in about a boat overturning in the Wisconsin River near the Kilbourn Dam, situated an hour north of Madison, according to the police.
Three people were in the boat at the time of the incident, with one being able to “safely swim to shore,” police said. The recovered boater was met by police and rescue units and handed over to medical services for treatment, officials said.
The two other boaters were not seen after “disappearing under the water, near where the boat had capsized,” police said.
Rescue boats were launched on Thursday to begin searching for the missing individuals, police said. Officials also requested the assistance of dive teams, but “due to the high flow of water from the Kilbourn Dam and the fast-moving currents” divers were not able to commence their search.
Aerial and underwater drones, shoreline searchers and boats with sonar capabilities were also deployed for the search, police said.
Officials suspended their search on Thursday evening due to the “unpredictable flow of the river” but said efforts will continue Friday morning.
On Friday, rescuers had to suspend their underwater searches again, due to the water conditions.
Officials continued their search efforts for Di Filippo on Saturday, but a rise in the river has made the conditions “extremely challenging.”
Saturday’s search efforts included the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources launching boats to continue shoreline searches and search other areas down river. Officials also conducted foot searches along the river, aided by aerial drones.
Authorities are planning to check “areas of interest” in underwater searches via drones or divers when water conditions improve.
Police asked that the public respect the privacy of the Di Filippo family while they deal with this tragedy.
Police also asked boaters to wary of volatile water conditions as nicer weather approaches.
Wisconsin Dells police asked anyone who spots anything suspicious on the river to contact them at 608-253-1611 and Press “2” to be connected with the Columbia County Dispatch Center.
ABC News contributed to this report.
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