The McHenry County Sheriff's office said Esquivel, of Crystal Lake, went to a party in the 6100 block of Haligus Road in Woodstock Thursday night. Witnesses told officers the teen took off some of his clothes and jumped into the pond from a pier behind the house.
The Crystal Lake Fire Department received a call when Esquivel failed to resurface. Emergency crews arrived at about 9:05 p.m. Thursday. Dive teams located Esquivel at 10:37 p.m. submerged in about eight feet of water. He was taken in critical condition to Centegra Hospital in Woodstock. He was pronounced dead at 11:43 p.m. Thursday.
"Last night when they came and knock on my door, I can't believe what they told me," father Jose Esquivel Sr. said. "It's something that was very hard. It's hard."
The sheriff's office said the information they have at this time does not indicate alcohol or drugs as a factor in the boy's death, nor is there any indication of criminal activity. They do not anticipate any arrests or criminal charges in this incident.
McHenry County Coroner Dr. Anne Majewski said the autopsy performed Friday found drowning to be the preliminary cause of death, and no foul play is suspected.
Some local high school students said the group of teens got together because Crystal Lake Central students have not school Friday.
Oscar Cardoso has been Esquivel's best friend since the third grade. He wasn't with him Thursday night, but Cardoso said Esquivel didn't know how to swim.
"He was really funny and nice. You couldn't argue with him because he's just too nice," Cardoso said. "Pretty sad waking up and my friend isn't here. Just wish I could see him again."
Crystal Lake fire crews were assisted by several fire departments from McHenry, Lake and Kane counties. The McHenry County Sheriff's office is investigating.
