Coroner IDs Woman, 31, Who Drowned After Rescuing Son From River: Authorities

LIBERTYVILLE, IL — A 31-year-old Hinsdale woman died Sunday after entering the Des Plaines River near Independence Grove Forest Preserve to help her son, according to the Lake County Coroner’s Office.

At about 7 p.m. on Sunday, first responders were called to the river for a water rescue. They found Angelina Khalimendik unconscious and not breathing, according to the coroner's office.

She was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead in the emergency room.

According to investigators, Khalimendik entered the river to assist her son and successfully helped him reach safety before becoming submerged herself. A family member and bystanders pulled her from the water and began assisting her.

The Lake County Coroner’s Office was notified and responded to the hospital. An autopsy conducted Monday determined that Khalimendik’s death was consistent with drowning.

The incident remains under investigation by the Lake County Forest Preserve Police and Lake County Coroner’s Office.