Found Deceased IL - Daniel Sotelo, 26, & Natally Brookson, both found deceased, Chicago, 30 April 2022

[ChatteringBirds]

Wilmette probably hasn’t ever had a missing person case. It’s a really affluent village/town.

Quote RSBM. At first I was going to respond that affluence shouldn't really change the likelihood because there are so many factors that can lead to someone going missing.

But then I thought, perhaps it does decrease the chance - better home security systems and ability to afford mental healthcare, for example.

 

[citizen_sleuth]

Daniel has been found deceased

Find Daniel Sotelo | It is with heavy hearts that we share that Daniel has been found and is no longer with us

It is with heavy hearts that we share that Daniel has been found and is no longer with us. My family and I were blessed to have had Danny for the short time that we did. He was an absolute light for...

www.facebook.com

 

[ChatteringBirds]

Sincere condolences to his family.

 

[meanmaryjean]

Body found in Lake Michigan identified as missing UIC student

CHICAGO — A body found in Lake Michigan near Wilmette last week has been identified as missing UIC student Daniel Sotelo, who was connected to Natally Brookson, a UIC student who was found dead ear…

wgntv.com

 

[Janitor101]

Such sad news and my thoughts and prayers go out to the grieving families. Glad I checked this website for any recent updates or I would have totally missed this announcement.

 

[CocoChanel]

Body Pulled From Lake Michigan Identified as Missing UIC Graduate Student

The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed the body of Daniel Sotelo, 26, was found Sunday, May 22. The cause and manner of death are both pending, according to officials.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Daniel Sotelo & Natally Brookson case: Body found in Lake Michigan identified as missing UIC student

Daniel Sotelo's body was pulled out of Lake Michigan on May 22. The remains of his girlfriend, Natally Brookson, had been found on May 2. They were both last seen alive on April 30.

www.fox32chicago.com

 

[minneolo]

This is a sad, but not unexpected outcome. I really feel for both Daniel and Natalie’s loved ones - it seems so tragic to lose two young people like this.

Now that both have been recovered, I think its more likely that this was a mutual, planned event of self-harm. Which is even more tragic, to me.

 

[NeverPersonal]

A suicide pact, it seems? Really really devastating. I wonder what they were thinking. I wish they would've gotten help for their depression, or whatever else the thought process was...

 

[DeDee]

A suicide pact, it seems? Really really devastating. I wonder what they were thinking. I wish they would've gotten help for their depression, or whatever else the thought process was...

I read they'd only been dating a couple of months. NB had dropped out of college for the Spring semester so I wonder if they were dating as far back as DEC or longer?

Since NB was the one who dropped classes, it seems she was the one with a possible diagnosis of depression or more aptly, perhaps, depression that was undiagnosed. If that's the case, then she held a lot of power over DS for him to want to end his life just days prior to receiving a Master's Degree in microbiology. He already had a job lined up, according to his family.

<modsnip>

It's difficult to reconcile without knowing more details. I do think C19 restrictions were terrible for all students. My 8yo Gdaughter sat under the dining table at home and refused to conduct her studies on the computer. The 13yo dropped ballet due to classes being held online thereby, causing her to lose her position to dance as Claire in The Nutcracker. Children, of all ages, including this precious couple, need social interaction that the restrictions robbed them of.

May God rest their beautiful souls as their families are restored with Peace.

 

[GMS]

Condolences to the families, friends and community.

It appears on the surface as a planned suicide pact, but I question since DS's wallet / phone were discovered next to Natally's body. It's hard to imagine that by coincidence they somehow washed up together. Could it be DS discovered Natally and was so distraught he decided at that point to take his own life?

 

[scriabina]

Could it be DS discovered Natally and was so distraught he decided at that point to take his own life?

Considering they'd only been dating a couple months, I'd find that hard to believe. I think it's more likely this was a suicide pact. They were bonding over their depression.

 

[scriabina]

It's difficult to reconcile without knowing more details. I do think C19 restrictions were terrible for all students. My 8yo Gdaughter sat under the dining table at home and refused to conduct her studies on the computer. The 13yo dropped ballet due to classes being held online thereby, causing her to lose her position to dance as Claire in The Nutcracker. Children, of all ages, including this precious couple, need social interaction that the restrictions robbed them of.

I highly doubt their suicides had anything to do with pandemic restrictions, because there have been no restrictions since end of Feb, and even before that, the restrictions were quite loose and college students were still going to parties etc. College classes were in full force without even masks required since Mar 2.

I'd be much more worried about neurological damage from multiple covid infections which college students have surely had considering the more recent strains are so contagious and vaccines barely make a dent in transmission. A huge study just came out that showed that the risk of mental health issues (among a host of other health conditions) in non-hospitalized vaccinated folks was significantly greater than in those who were vaccinated and not infected (ex: 42% greater risk for anxiety). We also know from the UK Biobank study that covid infection significantly reduces gray matter and affects the limbic system, which is an emotional control center. So IMO and judging from the research I've read, it's more likely that IF covid is involved, it's the long-term sequelae of infection and not the nominal restrictions that contributed to their suicidal ideation.

Changes in brain structure w/ covid

Long Covid symptoms including mental health vs uninfected controls

 

[modesty blaise]

Rip Daniel and natally.

 

[citizen_sleuth]

Bodies of Illinois Couple Missing Since April Found Weeks Apart in Lake Michigan – PEOPLE
<snipped & BBM>
Natalia Derevyanny, Director of Communications for the Cook County Bureau of Administration, tells PEOPLE the cause and manner of death for both "is pending at this time."

 

[Lusitana]

So sad.

 

[positive]

I don't pretend to know the cause of this one. Having visited the lake multiple times in July and August, its cold. Any one who would wnter the water at that time of year would (should) know that hypothermia would disable you in 20 minutes even if in the water for only 5 minutes and no shelter or fire.
Either a suicide pact, or one went in and the other tried to help.
IMO

 

[positive]

I mean to say entered the water in April or early March. Its common to still have ice breaks that time of year.
IMO
Sorry for the families regardless of what happened. Lots of deaths on the lake even in "good" conditions.

 

[GMS]

Considering they'd only been dating a couple months, I'd find that hard to believe. I think it's more likely this was a suicide pact. They were bonding over their depression.

This could be very true. I always felt it odd that if this was a planned pact, why Natally worked that day...a full-shift. If I knew I was going to commit suicide or due self harm, I wouldn't be like I have to work and then I will do it after that. just moo.

 

[scriabina]

This could be very true. I always felt it odd that if this was a planned pact, why Natally worked that day...a full-shift. If I knew I was going to commit suicide or due self harm, I wouldn't be like I have to work and then I will do it after that. just moo.

Maybe she didn't decide for sure until the moment she quit...Maybe Daniel was ready and waiting until she was ready to go too. Or maybe they had decided the night before but Natally wanted to get closure at work first.