Body of missing Illinois scuba diver found 125 feet below Lake Michigan's surface

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The body of a 72-year-old scuba diver from Illinois was pulled from Lake Michigan on Wednesday morning, about 24 hours after he was reported missing from an excursion several miles off the Wisconsin coast.

Authorities in Kenosha County said Patrick Kelly, of Winthrop Harbor, was found about 125 feet below the surface of Lake Michigan. On Tuesday, he embarked on a dive of the shipwrecked S.S. Wisconsin, which is about 6 miles off the coast of Pleasant Prairie, Wis., and rests about 120 feet under the surface.

Kelly’s wife, who was aboard their vessel, sent out a distress call on Tuesday after he failed to resurface as scheduled.

The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department said they — along with the Pleasant Prairie Fire Department, the U.S. Coast Guard and several other agencies — sent rescue crews to the location of their boat.

With crews facing poor water conditions, though, the sheriff’s department said recovery efforts were postponed at about 5 p.m. on Tuesday and did not resume until Wednesday morning.

Using a combination of sonar and remotely operated vehicles, crews on Wednesday located and recovered Kelly’s body.

“The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department extends our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and the diving community who were all impacted by this tragic event,” officials said in a news release.

Authorities said the Kenosha Human Development Services Crisis Line is staffed 24/7 for anyone who needs someone to talk to. It can be reached at 262-657-7188.

Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok