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Man Charged in Murder of Popular Boater ‘Captain Bill,’ Chicago Police Say
Chicago — A man has been formally charged with murder in connection with the death of a beloved Chicago-area boater whose body was recovered from DuSable Harbor last year, authorities announced Thursday.

Chicago police said Alexis Trader, 34, was taken into custody Wednesday and charged with one count of murder in the August 30, 2025, death of Nabil “Captain Bill” Abzal, 63, of Plainfield. Trader was already in the Cook County Jail on unrelated charges when the new murder charge was filed, police reported. He is scheduled to appear in bond court for a detention hearing.

Police allege that Trader shoved Abzal into a gate near the harbor, causing Abzal to strike his head and fall into Lake Michigan, where he drowned. Abzal’s body was later pulled from the water at DuSable Harbor, and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled his death a homicide.

Abzal was well-known and widely liked in Chicago’s boating community, where he was affectionately called “Captain Bill.” Friends and fellow boaters remember him as a friendly and helpful presence at the harbor. After his body was recovered last year, members of the community held vigils and memorials to honor his life and legacy. At the time, police said the circumstances of his death were suspicious and launched a homicide investigation that spanned months.

In the immediate wake of Abzal’s death, investigators sought several people who might have been connected to the incident, but no arrests were announced then. The charge against Trader marks the first criminal filing directly tied to the fatal drowning.

Abzal’s wife, Laura Abzal, has said his loss was devastating and surreal, describing him as someone who was always ready to help others. Friends echoed that sentiment, remembering him not just as a boat captain but as a kind figure in their lives.

Authorities have not released details on whether there may be additional charges or suspects as the investigation continues.