LAKE MICHIGAN — A tragic, multi-agency search ended on Wednesday morning, June 24, 2026, when emergency personnel recovered the body of a 13-year-old swimmer who went missing near the Michigan City Lighthouse Pier earlier this week.
Indiana Conservation Officer divers located and recovered the juvenile’s body at approximately 7:45 a.m. The victim was discovered along the eastern side of the pier in roughly 11 feet of water.
The emergency response began at approximately 5:43 p.m. on Monday, June 22, when LaPorte County 911 dispatchers received a frantic call stating that a juvenile swimmer had disappeared beneath the surface of Lake Michigan near the historic lighthouse pier.
First responders arrived on the scene within minutes, but rescue efforts were immediately paralyzed by highly volatile lake conditions. At the time of the initial incident, the National Weather Service had active Beach Hazard Statements and Small Craft Advisories in place for the southern tip of Lake Michigan. Strong winds were generating treacherous 4- to 6-foot waves and creating severe, unpredictable rip currents along the shoreline.
First Responders Injured in Nighttime Search
The extreme turbulence of the lake took a heavy toll on emergency crews. During the initial evening response, three rescue divers from the Michigan City Fire Department sustained injuries due to the aggressive underwater conditions. All three were pulled from the water and transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation.
As darkness fell and lake conditions continued to deteriorate, the command staff made the difficult decision to suspend the search on Monday night for the safety of the personnel.
Recovery teams returned to the shoreline at daybreak on Tuesday and Wednesday, utilizing specialized sonar and dive teams as soon as the weather permitted a safe deployment.
Collaborative Regional Response
The intensive, three-day search operation required a highly coordinated effort among several regional public safety agencies. Key departments assisting the Indiana Conservation Officers included:
- The Michigan City Police Department
- The Michigan City Fire Department
- The Long Beach Police Department
The identity of the 13-year-old has not yet been publicly released out of respect for the privacy of the grieving family. The LaPorte County Coroner’s Office is assisting with the ongoing investigation.
