20-Year-Old Man Found Dead Two Months After Going Missing While Enjoying Time with His Grandfather

What began as a joyful spring break between a grandson and his beloved grandfather ended in heartbreak, silence, and weeks of waiting.

The body of 20-year-old Francesco Di Filippo, a Chicago college student who went missing in early April, has been found. His body was discovered on Monday, June 30, 2025, near Newport Beach in Wisconsin, ending a three-month search that devastated his family and community.

Lake Delton Police confirmed that first responders were called to the scene around 2:13 p.m. after a report of a body spotted in the water. The clothing on the body matched what Francesco was last seen wearing, and authorities later confirmed his identity.

Francesco was last seen on April 3, 2025, after the boat he was in capsized on the Wisconsin River near the Kilbourn Dam. He had been spending spring break with his grandfather, Luis F. Di Filippo.

He, his grandfather, and another man, Giovanni Mills, were on the capsized boat. However, Giovanni survived and made it to shore, but Luis's body was recovered the next day. Francesco was never found—until now.

His mother, Lina Di Filippo-Schultz, had held onto hope during the agonizing wait. Speaking to Fox32Chicago News, she said, "He never said no. Family always came first. Life will never be the same without him."

Francesco was a second-year student at Wright College, known for his kindness, dedication to family, and ever-present smile. His obituary, shared by Cumberland Chapels, described him as someone who left a lasting impression on everyone he met.

In a public statement, the Wisconsin Dells Police Department offered condolences to the family. Authorities also expressed gratitude to the volunteers and agencies involved in the extensive search operation.

That search was hampered by hazardous river conditions. In a press release on April 4, the Wisconsin Police described the fast-moving waters and unpredictable currents that made recovery efforts dangerous and complex. Despite these conditions, teams continued their search for weeks.

As the days passed, Francesco's mother pleaded for his return. "Not only did the waters take my baby away from me but now at least give him back. Just one last time [sic]," she said in an emotional interview with WMTV15 News. His father, Brian Schultz, who spoke in the same interview, said, "It's brutal just sitting here just waiting."

His girlfriend, Shay Zuelke, also spoke during the interview with WMTV15 News, expressing her heartbreak, "Knowing what they went through and that Frank is still down there and they can't get to him or they don’t know where he's at or I don’t know. I need my Frank back."

A campaign launched on GoFundMe by a family friend remains active, raising funds to help cover funeral expenses and ongoing recovery costs. The fundraiser speaks to the emotional and financial toll the accident has had on the Di Filippo-Schultz family.

Luis, 75, a lifelong and experienced boater, had been married to his wife, Sandra, for 48 years. He had hoped to make special memories with his grandsons during their trip. "I don't think he knew the water levels were so high," Lina said of her father in the interview with Fox32Chicago News.

Luis's body was identified on April 5, 2025. At the time, officials urged caution for others planning river activities, warning that improving weather might lure more people onto still-dangerous waters. Boaters were reminded to wear life jackets, check anchor placement, and stay alert to rapidly changing conditions.

Now, with Francesco finally brought home, the family is left to grieve and remember a young man whose life was filled with promise, love, and a deep bond with a grandfather who adored him.