Man dies after trying to swim to dock at Naperville's Centennial Beach: police

NAPERVILLE, Ill. (WLS) -- A west suburban beach was closed to the public on Friday amid an ongoing death investigation.

The water is still at Naperville's Centennial Beach after a 27-year-old man died after being found unresponsive in the water early Thursday evening.

The beach will be closed again on Saturday, officials said.

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Naperville police said officers responded to the beach for a report of a missing person, who was last seen in the pool's deep end, just before 5:45 p.m. Thursday.

Police believe the man was in the water with a group of friends, trying to swim to a floating dock in the middle of the deep end.

When the group arrived at the dock, police said, they noticed their friend was no longer with them. They searched the area around them before returning to shore.

Police said lifeguards were eventually notified about the missing man and found him in the water, unresponsive, just after 6 p.m.

The Naperville Fire Department rushed the man to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Video from the scene shows a crowd of young people, along with law enforcement, in front of the beach's gates on Thursday. Those gates are now closed and locked.

Baker says he grew up coming to Centennial Beach. He pointed out his concerns with the floating piers, which, he said, people can swim under.

"I was really surprised," said Naperville native Scott Baker. "It's a big piece of the community. I mean, I walk by here every day just because of the river walk and the path."

Baker said the tragic news of the death is simply shocking.

"I see what they put their lifeguards through. They put them through the paces, so I don't know what happened," Baker said.

The man's identity was not immediately released.

Police said there is no indication of foul play, and they are investigating alongside the DuPage County Coroner's Office.

The Naperville Park District issued a statement, saying, in part, "The Park District offers its sincere condolences to the family of the deceased... Additional information regarding Centennial Beach operations for the weekend will be determined later today."

Police asked anyone with information to call them at 630-548-1421.

Officials said they anticipate the beach to reopen on Sunday.