Search Continues for Suburban Woman, 20, Missing After Swim With Friends

The woman and two of her friends were swimming at Porter Beach when they got caught up in 3- to 5-foot waves and a possible rip current

The search for a 20-year-old suburban woman, who went missing Friday evening after disappearing underwater at a Northwest Indiana beach, has turned into a recovery of her body rather than a search for a living person.

"The last 14 hours have been the hardest we have faced as a husband and wife and as a family," Greg Froese, the woman's father, said. "We are hoping that Chase will be found today. We know that God's in control, and we are fully trusting in him."

Chase Froese, of Carol Stream, and two friends stopped at Porter Beach near the Indiana Dunes State Park to go for a swim while en route to Grand Rapids, Mich., according to an official with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

While swimming around 7 p.m., Froese and her friends got caught up in 3- to 5-foot waves and a possible rip current that prevented them from swimming back to shore.

Signs were posted at the beach warning of rip current dangers, but there were no lifeguards on duty, according Porter, Ind., Fire Chief Jay Craig.

"This lake in Northwest Indiana is completely different than anywhere else. It changes constantly," Craig said.

A few hundred people were on the beach when the women were overcome, and passersby were able to rescue two of the women, who are approximately the same age as Froese, according to the official with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

The U.S. Coast Guard continues its search, but they say there has been no sign of Froese.

Froese was set to begin her junior year at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, her parents said. Her friends described her as adventurous and free-spirited.

"For everyone out there, Beth and I just say, love on your kids," Greg Froese said. "Enjoy each and every precious day with them."

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