A body pulled from Lake Michigan in Chicago may be a suburban high school senior who was swept into the water by a high wave earlier this year.
Family members said detectives informed them Monday that a body found near Fullerton and the lakefront Monday morning was that of 18-year-old Ivan Echevarria.
"They found his clothes and shoes," said his father Angel Echevarria. "And yes it is him. It is him."
The medical examiner's office, however, could not confirm the body's identity as of 4 p.m.
Echevarria disappeared into the lake in February while with a friend at Diversey Harbor. A friend told NBC Chicago he was seeking a better view when a wave hit the pier and sweept him into the water from behind.
Recovery crews spent days searching for the Aurora teen.
Officials say Echevarria could not have survived the water temperatures and rough conditions.
News of the tragedy spread throughout Echevarria’s hometown. The high school senior was about to graduate from East Aurora High School. School officials said he was popular and passionate about cars and computers.
