26-Year-Old Joliet Man Who Jumped Into Canal Remains Missing: JPD

JOLIET, IL — The Joliet Police Department confirmed Wednesday that the body of 26-year-old Joliet resident Dorien Smith has not been found in the Des Plaines River. On Tuesday afternoon, the Joliet Fire Department recovered the body of another Joliet man, 38-year-old drowning victim Anthony Dunn.

The Joliet Police Department issued a news release on Jan. 21 announcing Dunn's disappearance. Now, almost seven weeks later, Dunn's body was found floating in the Des Plaines River by one of the barge crews near Rockdale along Route 6.

Smith, according to Joliet police, is believed to be the man who jumped into the frigid waters near the Bicentennial Park, and his body has yet to be recovered.

According to Joliet police, Smith was last seen at Bicentennial Park on Jan. 17.

"The Cass Street bridge tender reported seeing a large splash in the Des Plaines River. He called the Joliet Fire Department to search the river. This met with negative success. JPD officers located personal items on the west side of the river. These items were later determined to be owned by Smith," a Joliet police report shows.

The body of a third drowning victim, 39-year-old Joliet resident Cesar Robles, was recovered from the canal in the 300 block of North Joliet Street during the late night hours of Jan. 18. Robles jumped into the water at the Jackson Street Bridge about three hours earlier, authorities said.