Father of two found dead in lake days after jumping from boat, Illinois reports say

A father of two was discovered dead in Lake Michigan five days after he jumped into the water, Illinois reports say.

The body of Bryan Jackson was discovered Saturday, Sept. 9, on the rocks of Promontory Point in Chicago, according to WGN and WFLD. His body was positively identified Monday.

“A swimming tragedy has taken our beloved Bryan Jackson from his children, Apollonia and Bryan Jr.,” a GoFundMe says. “He is gone TOO soon.”

Jackson had been missing since Tuesday, Sept. 5, after he jumped into the lake with a woman, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The woman was rescued about 15 minutes later, the Sun-Times reported.

The search for Jackson was considered a recovery mission less than two days after he went missing, McClatchy News reported.

Jackson worked as a master trainer at Nike and the Jordan Brand. According to his LinkedIn, he specialized “in sports performance and corporate wellness” working with professional sports teams in Chicago.

The Sun-Times reported Jackson’s children are 10 and 6 years old.

“I hope you can finally feel safe now, I hope you can be free,” said the Rev. Tanya Lozano Washington, the mother of Jackson’s children. “Thank you for our two incredible children, watch over them now as their guardian Angel.”

A memorial service will be held Sept. 30 at New Life Covenant Church Southeast in Chicago, according to the GoFundMe.

This story was originally published September 12, 2023 at 12:05 PM with the headline "Father of two found dead in lake days after jumping from boat, Illinois reports say."