Teen Drowns in Broadkill River Near Milton

Milton, DE - The Delaware State Police are investigating a drowning incident that occurred on Tuesday afternoon, July 15, 2025, in the Broadkill River near Milton, Delaware.

At approximately 4:32 p.m., troopers were dispatched to a water rescue at the boat ramp located at the end of Oyster Rocks Road in Milton. Responding agencies included the Lewes Fire Department, mutual aid fire companies, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), and the U.S. Coast Guard.

The emergency response was initiated to locate a missing swimmer who had been reported in distress.

According to the initial investigation, 18-year-old Yorch Niz-Chilel had been crabbing near the boat ramp with his family. While preparing to leave, he entered the river and walked into chest-deep water.

At that point, he began shouting for help. Despite efforts from his family to rescue him, they were unable to reach him before he submerged. Yorch drifted out of sight while his family called 911.

A multi-agency coordinated search effort involving both water and air units commenced but was suspended later that evening due to unsafe conditions.

The search resumed on the morning of July 16, 2025, with participation from the Delaware State Police Aviation Unit, Maritime Unit, and Underwater Recovery Team. The search continued throughout the day.

However, recovery efforts were unsuccessful until the evening when a fisherman near the Outer Wall, close to the Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse in the Delaware Bay, reported seeing a body. Emergency responders retrieved the body, which was later positively identified as Yorch Niz-Chilel.

Yorch's family has been notified of the recovery, and his body has been transferred to the Division of Forensic Science for further examination.