Man Drowns In Des Plaines, Ill. Pond After Freak Encounter With Swans

By Chuck Sudo in News on Apr 16, 2012 8:20PM

A Villa Park man drowned Saturday in the retention pond for a Des Plaines condominium complex after his kayak overturned while he was looking in on the swans he was charged with taking care of. Anthony Hensley worked for a company that placed swans in ponds and other areas to control large geese populations when authorities believed he may have steered his kayak too close to a nest with eggs, spooking one of the swans at the Bay Colony condominium complex in unincorporated Des Plaines.

Hensley was an experienced kayaker and a good swimmer, but was fully clothed and wearing boots when his kayak capsized. Witnesses also said the swan kept swimming after him as he was in the water. Hensley leaves behind a wife, Amy, and two daughters who are so young his father Raymond said they haven't been told yet what happened to their father.

"They just know their father is not here, and they don’t know why. It’s tragic for him to have to spend the last few moments like that. That’s always my worst fear, drowning."

A wake for Hensley is scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

Amy Hensley
c/o Steuerle Funeral Home
350 S. Ardmore Ave.
Villa Park, IL 60181