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| MICHAEL FERNANDEZ |
It was a warm Saturday afternoon in Chicago. Michael Fernandez and his girlfriend were enjoying a leisurely walk in the park with his dog, Sora.
The 1-year-old pup fell into Chicago's Lincoln Park Lagoon and was having trouble getting back to shore. The Filipino American limo driver and his girlfriend, Ashley Sadefur, jumped into the water to rescue the struggling dog.
Sandefur "did try to get into the water, but because of the high weed content right here at the shore she (couldn't) get very far in,” Chicago Fire Department Deputy District Chief Jason Lach told WGN.
Sadefur and Sora were able to make it back to shore but Fernandez failed to surface.
Authorities searched for several hours, but poor visibility, murky water and hazardous conditions in the lagoon, which is 18-feet deep in some places, caused rescuers to postpone their search until Sunday.
Divers were able to locate the body just after 1 p.m. Sunday, and his family later confirmed it was Fernandez's.
Members of the victim’s family are calling into question what they see as a safety issue at the park, WGN reported.
“There’s no safety features at all,” Arthur Fernandez, Michael Fernandez’s uncle, said.
“There’s no fences here, to keep kids and everybody from not falling into the lagoon,” he said.
“There’s no safety features at all,” Arthur Fernandez, Michael Fernandez’s uncle, said.
“There’s no fences here, to keep kids and everybody from not falling into the lagoon,” he said.
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| The LIncoln Park lagoon. |
The 29-year-old Michael Fernandez is the son of Katherine “Kandy” Fernandez-Palacios and Yalcin Atli.
Arthur Fernandez said his nephew and his dog were inseparable.
Family and friends of Fernandez set up an online fund drive at GoFundMe to help shoulder the expense of funeral service. They are trying to raise $10,000 dollars for the memorial.
Family and friends of Fernandez set up an online fund drive at GoFundMe to help shoulder the expense of funeral service. They are trying to raise $10,000 dollars for the memorial.
His memorial visitation is slated on Friday, Aug. 30, at Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home in Cicero Avenue, Chicago.
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The body of Michael Fernandez was recovered Sunday afternoon following a 19-hour search, according to WGN-TV.
Fernandez is the son of Katherine “Kandy” Fernandez-Palacios and Yalcin Atli. Loving partner of Ashley Sandefur. He was a limo driver and a bodybuilder.
Family and friends of Fernandez set up an online fund drive at GoFundMe to help shoulder the expense of funeral service. They are trying to raise $10,000 dollars for the memorial.
As of Wednesday, they have collected $8,210 for the bereaved family.
“Michael was only 29 years old who lost his life in a way that no one could imagine. A young sweetheart that didn't have enough time to enjoy his life to the fullest, create his family, his life adventures. God took too early from this earth. Please help his family create a wonderful memorial for our dearest friend,MICHAEL FERNANDEZ,” the online fund drive read.
His memorial visitation is slated on August 30 at Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home in Cicero Avenue, Chicago.
Fernandez, a limo driver, dove into the lagoon, which is 18 feet deep in spots, to try and rescue his 1-year-old dog, which was struggling in the water, the news station reported. His girlfriend, Ashley Sandefur. also went into the water to try to save him.
“She did try to get into the water, but because of the high weed content right here at the shore she [couldn't ] get very far in,” Chicago Fire Department Deputy District Chief Jason Lach told WGN.
The girlfriend and dog both made it out of the lagoon alive.
Members of the victim’s family are calling into question what they see as a safety issue at the park, WGN reported.
“There’s no safety features at all,” Arthur Fernandez, Michael Fernandez’s uncle, said.
“There’s no fences here, to keep kids and everybody from not falling into the lagoon,” he said.
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