Congresswoman's son-in-law dies snorkeling
The son-in-law of U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) died Sunday in a snorkeling accident as he vacationed in Mexico with his family, her office and family said.Michael McLaughlin, 38, was with Schakowsky and other family members near Tulum, Mexico, at the beginning of a weeklong vacation, Schakowsky's husband Robert Creamer said.
McLaughlin was married to Lauren, 35, who is the daughter of Schakowsky's husband and his previous wife Day Piercy, who lives in New York.
McLaughlin was a filmmaker and editor who lived with his wife in Queens, N.Y.
Creamer said he and other family members were in their hotel near Solinon Bay when another guest with binoculars told them there appeared to be a problem with McLaughlin, who was snorkeling in the bay about 7 miles north of Tulum.
Creamer was the first to reach McLaughlin in a kayak. He said he found his son-in-law face down in the water, and called out to him but got no response. Creamer said he got closer, turned his son-in-law over and realized he was in trouble. He administered mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and put a life vest on him, Creamer said.
"I yelled at him and poked at him and go no response, so I turned him over and it was clear he wasn't breathing,'' said Creamer.
McLaughlin's wife then showed up along with Schakowsky and others in more kayaks to help put McLaughlin on a kayak in the nearly 7-feet of water. Others also arrived in more kayaks to assist and pulled the craft carrying McLaughlin onto the beach where they continued to try to revive him unsuccessfully. McLaughlin was pronounced dead at a local hospital a short time later, Creamer said.
In a phone interview from Mexico, Creamer said McLaughlin was an experienced snorkler and diver who liked to snorkle alone. a coroner's report said he had aspirated in his mask and died of asphixiation, he said.
McLaughlin was cremated, following his own request, Creamer said.
Creamer described himself as heartbroken and praised his son-in-law and the 7-year marriage to his daughter. The couple had planned to adopt their first child in September.
"Michael was one of the most loving and creative people I've ever met. ... and he and my daughter Lauren had one of the most loving marriages I have ever seen,'' Creamer said.
Creamer was the first to reach McLaughlin in a kayak. He said he found his son-in-law face down in the water, and called out to him but got no response. Creamer said he got closer, turned his son-in-law over and realized he was in trouble. He administered mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and put a life vest on him, Creamer said.
"I yelled at him and poked at him and go no response, so I turned him over and it was clear he wasn't breathing,'' said Creamer.
McLaughlin's wife then showed up along with Schakowsky and others in more kayaks to help put McLaughlin on a kayak in the nearly 7-feet of water. Others also arrived in more kayaks to assist and pulled the craft carrying McLaughlin onto the beach where they continued to try to revive him unsuccessfully. McLaughlin was pronounced dead at a local hospital a short time later, Creamer said.
In a phone interview from Mexico, Creamer said McLaughlin was an experienced snorkler and diver who liked to snorkle alone. a coroner's report said he had aspirated in his mask and died of asphixiation, he said.
McLaughlin was cremated, following his own request, Creamer said.
Creamer described himself as heartbroken and praised his son-in-law and the 7-year marriage to his daughter. The couple had planned to adopt their first child in September.
"Michael was one of the most loving and creative people I've ever met. ... and he and my daughter Lauren had one of the most loving marriages I have ever seen,'' Creamer said.
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