The Chicago River: More Than Just Architecture Tours (But Maybe Not That Many More)
Ah, the Chicago River. Home to stunning architecture, leisurely boat tours, and...uh...a surprising number of shoes? But the topic on everyone's mind lately seems to be a bit more on the chilling side: how many bodies have taken an unwanted dip in this urban waterway?
Deeper Than You Think (Literally and Figuratively)
Now, before you cancel your trip to the Windy City and invest in a flamethrower for your bathtub, let's get some perspective. Chicago isn't exactly turning into Gotham overnight. There haven't exactly been bodies bobbing down the river on an hourly basis. However, there have been some unfortunate incidents that have led the authorities to play a real-life game of "fetch" with a rather morbid twist.
Numbers Don't Lie (But Maybe They're a Little Spooky)
News reports from 2022 mentioned around 16 bodies being pulled from the river and its watery neighbor, Lake Michigan. That number has inched up to around 18 as of recently. The spooky part? A good chunk of these cases remain undetermined. This, of course, has fueled speculation wilder than a Chicago deep-dish crust (and those things can get pretty wild).
Social Media Says: Serial Killer! Police Say: Hold Your Horses
The internet, ever the fountain of truth (and wild theories), has gone full-blown detective mode. Serial killer headlines abound, with some comment sections sounding like the script for a particularly dark episode of CSI: Chicago. The police, on the other hand, are urging calm. They haven't linked the deaths together and are investigating them all individually.
So, Should You Be Worried?
Probably not. Chicago is a big city, and rivers are, well, wet. Accidents happen, and some folks might not be the strongest swimmers after a night of enjoying some Chicago nightlife (looking at you, green river!). Here's a public service announcement: If you're planning on hitting the town, maybe pace yourself and avoid impromptu river swims.
But hey, if you're looking to add a touch of mystery to your next vacation, there's always the 'Chicago River Ghost Tour.' Who knows, you might just learn something new (or get really good at spotting sneakers).
