Spike In Bodies Recovered From Chicago's Lake Michigan Sparks Fear Among Residents

The body found by a CPD dive team in Illinois' Diversey Harbor was identified as Northwestern University doctoral student Peter Salvino by the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office Tuesday evening.

His body was pulled from Lake Michigan, days after he went missing. The cause of his death, however, will be determined following an autopsy. Peter Salvino's family issued a statement after the body's recovery, thanking the public for their assistance, as per NBC5.

"We are both shattered and relieved to report that, earlier today, we found Peter during the marine search of Diversey Harbor. Throughout the last three days, we have been overwhelmed by the support and assistance we've received from friends, family and local residents and businesses in our search for Peter," the statement said. "We are grateful beyond measure for their diligence, without which Peter may not have been found. At this time, our family appreciates the public affording us privacy as we process our grief over this devastating loss."

Salvino's death not only shattered the community but also created a sense of alertness among the public, amid a spike in missing people's bodies being pulled from the waters.

Earlier this month, the body of a 21-year-old Polish man Krzysztof Szubert was pulled from Lake Michigan at Oak Street Beach days after he went missing following a Christmas party, ABC7 reported. The cause and circumstances surrounding his death were being investigated by the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.

Earlier this year, the bodies of Daniel Sotelo and his girlfriend Natally Brookson, both former Illinois University students, were recovered weeks apart from the lake. The cause and circumstances around their death remained a mystery.

In September, the body of Highland Park resident Matt Ascaridis, 45, was found on the shoreline of Lake Michigan with "suspicious" injuries. Two men were charged in connection to his death. In March, authorities found transgender rights activist Elise Malary's body in the lake, and the cause of death remained "undetermined." Several bodies washed up at the shore in April, but there were no indications of criminal activity, according to authorities.

Despite the lack of hard evidence of foul play in these deaths, including Salvino's, people believe there's a serial killer on the loose. "I'm convinced there's a serial killer loose in Chicago. You mean to tell me there's been several bodies discovered in Lake Michigan? If you're from Chicago you know we don't go near that place during this time of year," a Twitter user wrote.

"There is a serial killer on the loose in Chicago killing men who visit river north bars and then dumping them in the Chicago river or lake Michigan," another tweeted.

"Are we just going to ignore the serial killer targeting men and disposing of their bodies in Lake Michigan/The Chicago River?" a third wrote.