District Council aide dead in apparent drowning
By: Freeman Klopott
Examiner Staff Writer
July 15, 2009
An aide for District Councilman Jack Evans died in an apparent drowning in Baltimore's Inner Harbor, Evans said Tuesday morning.
Baltimore Police have not officially identified the body, which was found floating in the harbor, but Evans confirmed that it was 30-year-old Desi Deschaine.
Deschaine's death was the first order of business at the council's Committee of the Whole meeting Tuesday morning. Evans announced the tragic news that his aide, a well-like, highly-regarded member of the council team, died over the weekend.
"He was at a party in Baltimore and drowned in the Baltimore harbor," Evans said. "I am very, very sad about this. He was a great guy, served the city very well and he will be missed."
Deschaine was reported missing Sunday night, police said.
In a Facebook message posted Sunday, he wrote, "getting ready for an amazing day boating in Baltimore Harbor and the Chesapeake BayÉand hope our friends join for what will be an awesome and amazing afternoon on the water!!"
The body was found near where Deschaine was last seen after leaving the boat party Sunday night, police said. There was no immediate evidence of foul play found on the body. A medical examiner will conduct an autopsy to confirm the cause of death. Deschaine's parents, police said, have identified his body, but police are waiting for a fingerprint analysis before making it official.
Deschaine, a Catholic University graduate, most recently served as Evans' director of communications. He had previously worked for former Mayor Anthony Williams in constituent services, and for the Washington National Opera.
He was the vice president of the Logan Circle Community Association. He was active in the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club and the D.C. Democratic State Committee.
Council Chairman Vincent Gray called for a moment of silence in Deschaine's memory.
"We certainly knew him well and loved him," the chairman said. "This is a difficult moment for many, many people. It's a tragic moment for us."
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