Officials Identify 24-Year-Old Woman Who Drowned in Canal
Andia Ymeraj, a Skokie resident, died after officials say she jumped into the canal at Main Street and McCormick Boulevard Saturday morning. She was briefly reported missing two years earlier.
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Officials have released the name of the 24-year-old Skokie woman who died after they said she jumped into the canal at Main Street and McCormick Boulevard Saturday morning.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office identified her as Andia Ymeraj, of Skokie.
Both Evanston and Skokie firefighters responded to the canal around 10 a.m. Saturday, after someone called 9-11 to report that a woman had jumped into the water.
Earlier: Skokie Woman Found in Canal Pronounced Dead
After an eyewitness helped emergency workers determine exactly where she went underwater, Ymeraj was transported to St. Francis Hospital. She was pronounced dead several hours later, on Saturday evening. Police say they do not suspect foul play in the incident.
In July 2010, Andia Ymeraj was reported missing from Loyola University, according to NBC Chicago. Police were concerned because she left her purse, books and cell phone behind in a classroom, NBC Chicago reported. Ymeraj was found safe two days later, and her father told ABC 7 News that she was doing fine.
According to her profile on LinkedIn, Ymeraj attended Loyola University and Roosevelt University, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in biology. She most recently worked as an intern in the herbarium at The Field Museum.
Marlene
12:27 pm on Monday, November 19, 2012
that's very sad
victoria smith
6:55 am on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
It's a shame that people feel that there is no light at the end of the tunnel. I just wish that she had put as much thought as she did to jumping, in finding someone to talk to about what ever was so troubleing in her life. Very sad!
Jennifer Fisher
9:37 am on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
It is very, very sad. I just wanted to note that the medical examiner hasn't officially ruled on a cause of death, whether it was an accident or on purpose.
MrsSmith
3:56 pm on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Jennifer: You might want to add "allegedly" to that top line (under the headline) then, because w/o it, it sounds like she did it on purpose.
Jennifer Fisher
4:59 pm on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Good suggestion, MrsSmith. I've added "officials say."
DownTheBlock
5:04 pm on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
With all due respect, Mrs. Smith, how else would she gave got into the river unless she jumped? The saddest part (I live right there) is that this is a busy steet that is usually packed with traffic, bikers, and walkers. I also think that a well-adjusted person does not just take off out of a class and leave things behind, they are not "missing" for two years when they aren't and what's the deal wiht the father just saying she was "fine" after she left all her things in her class and disappeared? I'm sensing a person with emotional issues, a troubled young lady whose family doesn't seem to address her issues, or maybe chose not to mention it all. It's funny how I hear sirens ALL day and night pulling drivers over on Main, now that they put in the ridiculously stupid 25 MPH speed limit, but I didn't hear one sound concerning this lady. As I've said before it's funny how the police can be everywhere for speeders but someone can climb on top of a bridge and jump and no one saw it?
Terry Strand
4:10 pm on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
She was someone's beloved daughter or sister. I wish someone had saved her.
vali
5:19 pm on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
thank you Terry.I m so sorry she was a fragile angel
MrsSmith
2:55 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
DownTheBlock: I was responding to Jennifer's comment that is right above mine:
"I just wanted to note that the medical examiner hasn't officially ruled on a cause of death, whether it was an accident or on purpose."
I agree that it sounds like she was perhaps mentally ill and probably jumped. Apparently, someone DID see it and called 911. There are also other ways to fall into the water than jumping (you could be pushed, or trying to climb down the bank).
Kathy Jurczak
11:24 pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2012
:(
Andia was in a music theory class with me at Loyola, and she came into my mind recently, I was wondering how she was doing...
May she forever rest in peace