The Filipino-American community in Chicago mourns the death of fellow Fil-Am Michael Kevin Fernandez, who passed away on Sunday while “heroically saving” his dog.
Filipino American Council of Greater Chicago announced the death of the 29-year-old, who jumped into the Lincoln Park South Lagoon after his Siberian Husky, named Sora, fell there.
According to a report by CBS, Fernandez and his girlfriend tried to rescue the dog, but Fernandez’ never resurfaced.
“The Filipino American Council of Greater Chicago expresses deep and heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. May his memory be a blessing to all who knew and love him,” the community said in a Facebook post.
CBS added that there were “no sufficient warning posted about the dangers of the lagoon.”
Fernandez was reportedly a limo driver and a bodybuilder. His family and friends set up an online fund drive at GoFundMe in the hopes of raising $10,000 for the memorial.
“Michael was only 29 years old who lost his life in a way that no one could imagine. A young sweetheart that didn’t have enough time to enjoy his life to the fullest, create his family, his life adventures. God took too early from this earth,” the fund drive said.
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