river16n-5-webSubmitted by: Marla Thompson

Lauren Li, 21, died trying to help a friend who fell into Chicago River when trying to recover a cell phone. She had been missing in the icy waters since Monday.

A woman who fell into the icy Chicago River with two others earlier this week has been recovered.

The body of 21-year-old Lauren Li, who had been missing since early Monday morning, was pulled from the water around 12:54 p.m. Wednesday, the Cook County Medical Examiner confirmed.

RELATED: MAN DEAD, WOMAN MISSING AFTER ICY CHICAGO RIVER RESCUE

Li, who was studying at the University of Minnesota and visiting the Windy City with her two friends, vanished beneath the ice in a senseless tragedy over a dropped cell phone, according to police and family.

Ken Hoang, 26, of St. Paul, Minn., died shortly after being pulled from the water.

youcaring.com

Ken Hoang, 26, of St. Paul, Minn., died shortly after being pulled from the water.

In a police report obtained by the Chicago Tribune, the trio is described as falling into the river after one of them dropped the cell phone along its edge and in an attempt to retrieve it, fell in.

RELATED: OREGON MAN MISSING FOR A MONTH AFTER BIRTHDAY FOUND DEAD IN RIVER

Ken Hoang, 26, reportedly fell into the freezing water trying to recover the cell phone. Li and Quoc-Viet Phan Hoang reportedly tried to help pull Ken Hoang out of the water before they, too, fell in. Only Quoc-Viet Phan Hoang, 26, survived.

The police report lists alcohol as playing a factor in the deaths.

Lauren Li was attempting to a rescue 26-year-old Ken Hoang who fell into the icy river while chasing after a dropped cell phone.

Kiichiro Sato/AP

Lauren Li was attempting to a rescue 26-year-old Ken Hoang who fell into the icy river while chasing after a dropped cell phone.

RELATED: WOMAN KILLED BY METRO-NORTH TRAIN WAS WALKING ON TRACKS SPANNING SAUGATUCK RIVER

Hoang released a statement from Presence Saint Joseph Hospital Wednesday, expressing his immense grief.

“I lost two good friends,” the statement obtained by the Ribune read. “It’s not easy seeing your friend drift away and having one die in your arms. I have never felt so helpless in my life.”

The families of Li and Hoang have set up online memorial funds to help pay for their funerals.

ngolgowski@nydailynews.com

By CCNM

I have functioned as a Business and Media Consultant over the past sixteen years and spent many years developing my capacity to function in our ever evolving use of technology, communication, education and training.