Northwestern University student apparently drowns in Lake Michigan
Oct 21, 2026
The body of a Northwestern University student was pulled from Lake Michigan in Evanston Wednesday morning after a passerby spotted a person in the water. The passerby called 911 about 7 a.m. saying the person was in the water near 70 Arts Circle Drive, police said in a statement. That's near the Rya
n Center for the Musical Arts and just north of Clark Street Beach.Firefighters pulled the unresponsive woman from the water, near the university's southern lakefill area and performed CPR. They rushed her to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead, police said in the statement. Her name has not been released by the Cook County medical examiner's office, which responded to the scene. Evanston and Northwestern University Police worked together to identify the woman as a Northwestern student, who was not from the Evanston area. Evanston Police launched a drone to search the southwest and southeast portions of the university’s property and lakefront as part of the investigation, which continues. There is no danger to the Northwestern or Evanston communities and police reminded the public to stay safe as Lake Michigan can be dangerous. Hazard warnings and signs prohibiting swimming and fishing are posted along Northwestern University’s lakefront property, according to the statement. Evanston Police urge people to follow posted warnings, check lake conditions before approaching the water and follow instructions from city or university officials to stay out of the water and off of break walls and rocks.In a statement, Northwestern University offered condolences. "Our thoughts are with the student’s family and friends," the statement said. "The University is providing support services to impacted community members."
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