NBC 5’s Natalie Martinez shares the story of a 14-year-old who drowned in Lake Michigan over the weekend.
Instead of making plans for the new school year, a northwest Indiana family is in mourning after a 14-year-old drowned in Lake Michigan over the holiday weekend.
K’Mari Mack was one of at least six drowning victims in the lake over the holiday weekend, according to experts, and his family is speaking out after his tragic death.
They describe a young man who was compassionate and considerate of others, and who was excited to join the school track team.
“He was a good, caring, fun-loving person,” his father Kumasi said. “Very funny. We are just trying to grieve properly.”
He says that K’Mari visited the East Chicago library almost every day, and had become a beloved figure to the young patrons.
“I’m very proud of him,” he said. “He was like a big brother, a mentor.”
“He just was a really nice young man,” Mary Schones added. “He was a little bit on the quiet side, but very thoughtful. He just loved to hang around all the kids at the library.”
Local
Librarians are considering holding a water safety class for children next year in K’Mari’s honor.
“It’s just a terrible accident,” Schones said. “My heart goes out to his family.”
Feeling out of the loop? We'll catch you up on the Chicago news you need to know. Sign up for the weekly Chicago Catch-Up newsletter.
Services will be held in East Chicago in coming days, but family members say their mourning process is only just beginning.
“He was very loveable,” Kumasi said. “In dull or sad moments, he would bring joy. He had a good spirit.”
