Latest news with #JamesonMeneou
Daily Mail
10-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Father and son's 'fun' game of catch in Lake Michigan ends in horrific double tragedy
A father and his son drowned in Lake Michigan over the weekend during what was meant to be a relaxing summer boat ride - after a game of catch ended in tragedy. David Meneou, 65, of Joliet, Illinois, and his son Jameson Meneou, 20, of Lockport, died on the afternoon of July 5 near Dune Acres, Indiana, according to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). Indiana conservation officers responded around 4:20 p.m. to reports of an active water rescue near the Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk area. Jameson's mother, Candace Keller Meneou, told NBC 5 Chicago the father-son pair had gone out boating - one of their favorite shared pastimes. 'Boating was something they always did together,' she said. 'Jameson couldn't drive a car, but he could drive a boat.' At some point, the two began playing catch. When the ball flew too far, Jameson jumped in to retrieve it but quickly found himself in trouble. 'Playing catch with his dad was his favorite thing to do,' Keller Meneou said. 'David really loved his son.' According to a preliminary investigation, Jameson - who had autism - began to struggle in the deep water. His father jumped in after him but also became overwhelmed, the IDNR said in a statement. 'David Meneou attempted to rescue his son but also began to struggle in the deep water,' the agency said. By the time emergency crews arrived, a good Samaritan had pulled both men from the lake. Conservation officers and National Park Rangers performed CPR as they rushed the pair by boat to the Port of Indiana. Both were taken to a nearby hospital, where they were pronounced dead. The investigation remains ongoing. Neighbor Bob Heinzel told the Chicago Sun-Times he wasn't surprised Meneou tried to save his son. 'There wasn't any way he was going to let anything happen to his son. He was very devoted to his son. That's what makes it even more tragic,' said Heinzel, 69. 'He was a really nice guy. I'm still in shock. A lot of us are.' Heinzel said he often spoke to Meneou about boats and cars. 'He was easy going,' he added. He said he first learned of the tragedy from another neighbor, Joe Bannon, on Sunday afternoon. 'I knew he was out on his boat over the weekend,' Heinzel said. 'I've talked to like five of the neighbors around here and they are just all in disbelief.' The Indiana Dunes may be a popular summer getaway, but the area can be deceptively dangerous - especially the waters of Lake Michigan. Southern Lake Michigan is considered one of the most hazardous areas in the Great Lakes for rip current-related drownings. Between 2002 and 2020, the lake accounted for over 125 drownings and 360 rescues caused by rip currents alone, according to the National Weather Service and National Park Service. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources warns swimmers may encounter steep underwater drop-offs just feet from shore, and that cold water shock - even during hot summer months - can cause panic, muscle cramps, and hyperventilation. Some of the dunes themselves also pose rare but serious risks. In 2013, a six-year-old boy was buried for hours after falling into a sinkhole formed by internal dune erosion at Mount Baldy, one of the park's tallest dunes. Officials urge visitors to swim only in designated areas, follow warning signs, and remain aware of fast-changing lake conditions.
Fox News
10-07-2025
- Fox News
Father and son drown in Lake Michigan during weekend family boating trip tragedy
A father and his son drowned in Lake Michigan over the weekend during what was supposed to be a fun boat outing. The deceased have been identified as David Meneou, 65, of Joliet, Illinois, and his son, Jameson Meneou, 20, of Lockport, Illinois, according to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). Indiana conservation officers are investigating the drowning after they responded to a call around 4:20 p.m. Sunday reporting an active water rescue on Lake Michigan near Dune Acres, Indiana. Meneou's mother, Candace Keller Meneou, told NBC 5 Chicago that the father-son duo had gone out for a boat ride that day. Boating was one of their favorite activities to do together because while Jameson could not drive a car, he could drive a boat, she told the outlet. At one point, they were playing catch when the ball was thrown too far into deep water and Jameson began to struggle. "Playing catch with his dad was his favorite thing to do," Keller Meneou told NBC 5, adding later that "David really loved his son." A preliminary investigation revealed that both father and son were in the lake when Jameson – who has autism, according to NBC 5 – went "into deep water and began to struggle." "David Meneou attempted to rescue his son but also began to struggle in the deep water," IDNR said in a press release. A good Samaritan had removed the two men from the water by the time officials arrived using off-road vehicles in the remote location. Conservation officers and National Park rangers transported the men via boat to the Port of Indiana while performing CPR, according to IDNR. The two men were taken to a local hospital where they were pronounced deceased, and the investigation into their deaths remains ongoing.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Yahoo
Father, son drowned in Lake Michigan: Indiana officials
The Brief Indiana Conservation Officers and National Park Rangers responded to reports of a water rescue on Lake Michigan near Dune Acres at 4:20 p.m. on Saturday. The two men were removed from the water by a passerby; Officers performed CPR; victims were pronounced dead at the hospital. The individuals were identified as David Meneou, 65, of Joliet, and Jameson Meneou, 20, of Lockport. INDIANA - A Chicago-area father and son drowned in Lake Michigan on Saturday, according to Indiana Conservation Officers. What we know Indiana Conservation Officers and National Park Rangers responded to reports of a water rescue on Lake Michigan near Dune Acres at 4:20 p.m. on Saturday. When officers arrived, two men had been removed from the water by a passerby. Officers performed CPR and brought the victims to a local hospital where they were pronounced dead. They were identified as David Meneou, 65, of Joliet, Ill., and Jameson Meneou, 20, of Lockport, Ill. An investigation revealed that Jameson went into deep water and began to struggle. David attempted to rescue his son but also began to struggle. The incident is still under investigation. The Source Details for this story were provided by the DNR Indiana Law Enforcement.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Yahoo
Chicagoland father and son drown in Lake Michigan while swimming at Indiana Dunes
PORTER COUNTY, Ind. — A father and son from Chicagoland drowned Saturday afternoon while swimming in Lake Michigan at a beach in Northwest Indiana. According to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, emergency crews were called to Boaters Beach at Indiana Dunes National Park at 4:20 p.m. following reports of an active water rescue. Conservation Officers, along with National Park Rangers, used off-road vehicles and a patrol boat to reach the remote area. Two men were pulled from the water by a good Samaritan. They were transported to a local hospital, where they later died, IDNR said. The victims were identified as David Meneou, 65, of Joliet, and his son, Jameson Meneou, 20, of Lockport. IDNR says a preliminary investigation shows Jameson Meneou was swimming when he ventured into deep water and began to struggle. His father jumped in to save him but also became distressed. This incident remains under investigation by Indiana Conservation Officers. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
07-07-2025
- CBS News
Father, son dies after being pulled from Lake Michigan in Porter, Indiana, officials say
A Chicago area father and son are dead after being pulled from Lake Michigan Saturday afternoon in Porter, Indiana, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources said. Around 4:20 p.m., Conservation Officers and National Park Rangers responded to a reported active water rescue on the lake near Dune Acres. A good Samaritan had removed the two men from the water. Conservation Officers and National Park Rangers boated the men to the Port of Indiana while performing CPR. They were then taken to a local hospital, where they were pronounced dead. The victims were identified as David Meneou, 65, of Joliet, Illinois, and Jameson Meneou, 20, of Lockport, Illinois. A preliminary investigation indicated that both men were in the water when Jameson Meneou entered deep water and began struggling. David Meneou attempted to rescue his son but also began to struggle in the deep water. The incident remains under investigation. No further information was immediately available.
