CHICAGO — Days after the heartbreaking discovery of a mother and her two children in Lake Michigan, the family of Drake Patton, 31, is sharing painful details about her struggles and addressing speculation surrounding the case. Patton and her children, Wyatt Patton, 6, and Jream Washington, 1, were recovered from the water near 57th Street on September 13 following a welfare check call.
Family Addresses Loss and Speculation
Patton’s aunt, Katina Dean, confirmed that while her niece faced mental health struggles after the death of her own mother, there were no clear warning signs that she might harm herself or her children. She emphasized that earlier reports suggesting a domestic dispute were false, adding that no foul play is suspected.
“If you’re grieving, seek solace somewhere,” Dean said. “If you want to hurt yourself, I truly believe if someone is intent, there’s not a whole lot any of us can do, but speaking to that woman who’s struggling to let them know that tomorrow’s a new day.”
Grief and Memories
Dean shared that the family had a deep connection to water, often viewing it as a place of peace. She recalled vacations where she, her sister, and Patton would get tattoos and spread her sister’s ashes in meaningful locations. However, she admitted Patton once hinted after her mother’s passing that she might one day “go into the ocean” with her son Wyatt.
Despite these troubling comments, family members said that when Patton was seen earlier on the day of the tragedy, she did not appear any different. It wasn’t until a farewell message was sent that a loved one called 911 — tragically, too late…