75-year-old dies, one missing after boat capsizes on Wisconsin River, cops say
Three people were on a boat in the Wisconsin River when the vessel capsized, and only one made it back, police said.
Two were submerged under the “volatile” waters, while one was able to swim safely to the shore, Wisconsin Dells police said on April 3.
Now, rescuers are still searching for 20-year-old Francesco L. Di Filippo of Chicago days after the boat flipped, police said in an April 5 Facebook post.
Luis F. Di Filippo, 75, also from Chicago, was found dead in the water on April 4, police said.
The search efforts have been hindered by the dangerous waters, which have been at elevated levels since rescuers began their search, police said on April 6.
In the interim, officials have covered 18 miles of the river with shoreline searches, underwater drones and other technology to search for the missing boater, police said.
Family members told WFLD that Luis Di Filippo was enjoying spring break with his grandsons when the boat capsized.
“Life will never be the same without him,” Lina Schultz said about her son, Francesco. “He was the most caring 20-year-old you ever came across. He never said no. Family always came first,” WFLD reported.
Police said they believe the water levels will drop in the coming days, which could create manageable conditions for divers to search for Di Filippo.
Wisconsin Dells is about a 55-mile drive northwest from Madison.
This story was originally published April 7, 2025 at 11:45 AM with the headline "75-year-old dies, one missing after boat capsizes on Wisconsin River, cops say."
