Nabil Abzal Death News; Beloved boater drowns near downtown harbor; homicide probe launched

Nabil Abzal Death News – The boating community in Chicago is grieving the sudden and tragic death of a man affectionately known as “Captain Bill.” Friends and fellow boaters identified him as 63-year-old Nabil Abzal of Plainfield, who was pulled from the waters of Monroe Harbor early Saturday morning. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office later ruled his death a homicide, leaving many in shock and searching for answers.

On Monday, the circumstances surrounding Abzal’s death remained unclear. Longtime friends expressed disbelief that someone as experienced on the water as Captain Bill could simply drown. “Experienced boaters don’t drown. I mean, they’re not going to slip and fall into the water. Something clearly happened here,” said fellow boater Jody Kennedy.

Captain Bill was well known at DuSable Harbor, where he chartered boats and often stayed overnight. Those who knew him described him as a central figure in the boating community. “Captain Bill, as he was referred to by most people, was kind of like the mayor of the dock. He would be here every day, because he was doing charters pretty much every day during the summer,” said Alan Dutkiewicz, another boater who spent many seasons alongside him.

One of his friends, Robert Vanucci, said the incident happened just a few feet from where he was docked. “I was on the boat, sleeping,” he recalled. Vanucci, who had known Captain Bill for years, admitted he didn’t witness the incident directly but did view surveillance footage from a nearby restaurant across from C Dock’s gate.

The footage, according to Vanucci, was grainy and taken at night, making it hard to see details clearly. However, it did show at least three other individuals with Captain Bill at the gate shortly before the incident. The restaurant’s owners confirmed that they turned the video over to Chicago police. While ABC7 reached out to investigators for updates, CPD would only confirm that a death investigation is underway.

Vanucci noted that the surveillance camera clearly recorded who entered and exited the gate, expressing hope that it could help police identify anyone involved. “It was clear to see who comes in and out of the gate. So hopefully, that camera caught the people who, in fact, you know, did this,” he said.

The uncertainty surrounding Captain Bill’s final moments has left fellow boaters stunned. Many who dock at DuSable Harbor are still struggling to make sense of how a trusted and experienced captain could end up dead in the water. For those who spent years alongside him, the loss feels deeply personal.

In response, friends and the boating community have organized a memorial at C Dock, scheduled for Saturday. The gathering will allow people to come together, share memories, and honor the man who left such a lasting mark on Chicago’s boating culture. For many, Captain Bill was more than just a charter captain—he was a friend, mentor, and fixture of life at the harbor.

As police continue their investigation, the community remains united in grief, determined to remember Captain Bill not for the tragic way his life ended, but for the joy and friendship he brought to the docks.