In a heartbreaking incident that has left a community in mourning, a father and son from Lockport, Illinois, tragically drowned in Lake Michigan over the weekend near Dune Acres, Indiana. David Meneou, 65, and his 20-year-old son Jamie were pulled from the lake on Saturday afternoon after what witnesses and officials are calling a freak accident.
The Meneou family, long-time residents of Chicago’s southern suburbs, are experienced boaters who have been navigating Lake Michigan for more than two decades. According to relatives, the family had anchored their boat near a sandbar when the unthinkable happened. Witnesses told David’s brother, Dan Meneou, that David and Jamie were playing catch when their football flew into the lake. Jamie, who had developmental disabilities, went after the ball but began to struggle in the water. Without hesitation, David jumped in to help his son, but he too became overwhelmed by the conditions.
Officials with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirmed that emergency crews received a call around 4:20 p.m. Saturday. A good Samaritan in the area managed to pull both men from the water before first responders arrived. Conservation officers and National Park rangers performed CPR on both victims during transport by boat to the Port of Indiana. Despite efforts that lasted more than 30 minutes, both men were pronounced dead at a local hospital.
David Meneou was described by family as a devoted father who had dedicated his life to caring for Jamie. “Jamie was his life,” said Dan Meneou. “Of course, my brother was going to try to save his son.” Jamie, who loved to swim in the family’s backyard pool, was remembered as a bright and curious young man who brought light into his father’s life.
“There were so many boaters out there that were assisting,” Dan added. “It made us feel good at the moment—to know people tried.”
Water safety experts say incidents like this are more common than many realize. Dave Benjamin, co-founder of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, said he has seen similar tragedies before. “Someone overthrows a football, it catches the wind, and suddenly it’s drifting fast away from shore. People instinctively chase after it without realizing how quickly conditions can turn dangerous,” he said.
On the day of the incident, offshore winds blowing from the south likely accelerated the ball’s drift, pulling Jamie farther from the anchored boat and deeper into the lake. Benjamin stressed that even strong swimmers can be caught off guard by drop-offs and changing currents. He warned that wearing a life jacket should be non-negotiable when boating or swimming in the Great Lakes, regardless of experience. “Knowing how to swim is not water safety,” Benjamin said.
The Indiana DNR said the investigation is ongoing, and they are working to piece together the exact sequence of events that led to the double drowning. As of July 8, Lake Michigan has recorded 17 drownings this year—on pace with previous years—and experts warn that number could climb to 40 or more before the summer ends.
Dan Meneou said the loss of his brother and nephew has left a hole in the family’s heart that can never be filled. “I’m surprised I’m composed today,” he admitted. “But you know, it has its moments. I’ll fall apart after this is all done.”
Though devastated, the family takes some solace in knowing that David and Jamie were together in their final moments. “They went down together, father and son,” Dan said. “And he would have done anything for Jamie. He died a hero.”
