3rd body from vessel overturned in Chicago River recovered; 1 still missing

Sunday, June 30, 2019
3rd body from vessel overturned in Chicago River recovered; 1 still missing
The body of third victim of a boating accident on the Chicago River earlier this week was recovered on Saturday, authorities said.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The body of third victim of a boating accident on the Chicago River earlier this week was recovered on Saturday, authorities said.

The overturned vessel was discovered near the Forest View Marina on Wednesday. Illinois Conservation Police Sgt. Joshua Mooi said it was believed that the boat had crashed sometime between midnight and 5 a.m. Wednesday. The boat was recovered but initially none of the four boaters believed to be aboard were found.

One body was recovered several hours later, about three miles from where the boat was found. Illinois State Police identified that victim as Elmer Jimenez, 32, of East Chicago, Indiana. A second body was recovered Friday and identified by family members as Rick Daciolas, Jr.

The third victim's body was recovered about 2:15 p.m. Saturday near the 3800 block of South Pulaski Road, according to the Chicago Fire Department. Though authorities have not officially identified the body, Cecelia Cazares said the body found Saturday was that of her husband, Raul Cazares, Jr.

"He was a good guy. He didn't deserve this, especially to die like this," she said.

The 40-year-old leaves behind six children.

"They are not doing good," Cecelia said. "They are taking it very hard. Except the baby; she doesn't realize what's really going on yet."

His father has set up a GoFundMe page to help with funeral expenses.

The search continues for the fourth missing boater.

Joanna Feliciano, Jimenez's fiancé, saw the boat after it was recovered and said it was "in bad shape."

"Whatever they hit, they hit it hard," she said.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.