Woman drowns rescuing son in Des Plaines River near Libertyville

A 31-year-old Hinsdale woman is believed to have drowned Sunday after entering the Des Plaines River near Libertyville to help her son, the Lake County Coroner’s office reported Monday.

Authorities said Lake County Forest Preserve Preserve police and Libertyville Fire Department personnel responded to an area near the Independence Grove Forest Preserve at about 7:01 p.m. for a water rescue.

They arrived and found the woman, later identified as Angelina Khalimendik, unconscious and not breathing. She was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, where she was pronounced dead in the emergency room, according to the coroner’s office.

A preliminary investigation indicated Khalimendik entered the river to assist her son, authorities said. After helping her son to safety, Khalimendik became submerged herself. A family member and bystanders rushed to her aid and removed her from the water, the coroner’s office said.

An autopsy conducted Monday indicates Khalimendik’s death was consistent with drowning. The coroner’s office and forest preserve police continue to investigate.

szalusky@dailyherald.com