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Liala Helal
St. Paul, Minn.

Sadness, grief after former U student dies in Chicago River

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The Cook County, Ill. Medical Examiner confirmed Tuesday that former University of Minnesota student Ken Hoang, 26, of St. Paul died trying to retrieve his phone from Chicago River early Monday.

Hoang and two friends jumped over a fence in the 400 block of E. North Water Street in downtown, according to Chicago police officer Mike Sullivan. He said police are still searching for the body of a missing woman who is presumed dead.

University of Minnesota classmates of Lauren Li, 21, and Hoang were informed Monday at a student event that the two had died, and 23-year-old Quoc-Viet Phan Hoang survived.

"I was stunned at first. After that, I was sad the rest of the night," said Phong Do, 19, a U of M student who knew Li and Hoang. "A lot of us took it really hard last night -- I can't imagine how (Li's) family is feeling right now." On his Facebook page, the lone survivor Quoc-Viet Phan Hoang wrote:

"Life's too short ... I hope no one would ever have to through something so unfortunate such as what has happened...from the bottom of my heart I am sorry for what happened ... RIP Ken Hoang and Lauren Li." His status was followed by friends posting messages of support. Lisa Mai Luong, who identified herself a friend of the victims, wrote:

"I'll never understand why good people are always taken too soon ... Rest in peace Ken Hoang and Lauren Li ... Quoc-Viet Phan Hoang I'm really glad you are okay and safe, don't ever blame yourself."

The incident happened near this location in Chicago:

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Editor's note: Ken Hoang was originally identified as a current University of Minnesota student in this report. He was last enrolled at the school in 2010.