A Chicago yacht owner tragically lost his life after confronting two women who sneaked onto his vessel in the early hours of August 30, 2025, police said.
The incident, which unfolded around 2:43 a.m. on Lake Michigan, left the boating community mourning the loss of a well-known local figure while authorities investigate the fatal encounter as a homicide.
Editorial Note: We have reviewed this story following reader feedback and corrected several inaccuracies. Alexis Trader, 34, is male, not female. The trespassers included Trader, two women, and another man; the women boarded the yacht, but Trader was the one who assaulted Captain Bill. Additionally, Trader was charged with murder months later while already in custody for a separate assault, not “already jailed” at the time of the incident. We regret the errors and have updated the article to reflect the accurate sequence of events.
A Peaceful Escalation That Turned Deadly
Nabil Abzal, 63, who was affectionately known in his community as Captain Bill, was asleep below deck of his 41-foot yacht, Gone, when a group of four (two women and two men) boarded the vessel to take photos for social media.
According to authorities, Abzal peacefully escorted the women off the yacht after discovering them, but the situation escalated when Alexis Trader, 34, allegedly punched him in the head. The force of the blow caused Abzal to strike a metal grate and fall into the water, where he drowned.
Surveillance footage reportedly captured the sound of the punch and showed Abzal falling into Lake Michigan. Nearby witnesses, including a fisherman, encountered Trader shortly after the incident.
Prosecutors said Trader told the fisherman that someone had fallen into the water and suggested he dive in to help. Trader then allegedly grabbed what appeared to be a wallet and left the area in a rideshare vehicle.
Authorities recovered Abzal’s body approximately ten minutes after police arrived, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
His wife, Laura Abzal, described her husband as a humble man who loved his time as Captain Bill but would have been embarrassed by the attention surrounding his death.
According to prosecutors, Abzal would often sleep on his yacht four to five times per week during the summer months.
A Suspect with a Violent Past—and Three Open Cases
Trader was arrested last Wednesday and charged with first-degree murder in connection with Abzal’s death. Police identified him through surveillance footage, phone records from his 911 call, and witness statements, including testimony from one of the women who boarded the yacht.
Prosecutors also noted that Abzal’s death was initially treated as an accident until boat staffers discovered rolling papers and vapes on the vessel, prompting a deeper investigation.
Trader has a lengthy criminal record that authorities say demonstrates a pattern of violence. He currently faces at least three open cases, including charges related to an alleged assault on a gas station attendant in January, two burglaries in April, and a DUI arrest just one week before Abzal’s death.
In the gas station incident, Trader allegedly punched the clerk because he believed the worker was staring at him, breaking the victim’s nose and leading to an aggravated battery charge. Trader was charged with Abzal’s murder months later while already in custody for an unrelated gas station assault. The murder charge was added while he was in jail awaiting trial for the earlier crime
Cook County Judge John Hock ordered that Trader remain in custody while awaiting trial. Prosecutors emphasized that his criminal history suggests a disturbing pattern of random assaults. Trader’s next court appearance is scheduled for February 23, 2026.
A Community Mourns Captain Bill
The Chicago boating community expressed shock and sadness over the incident. Many who knew Abzal described him as a dedicated captain who loved his yacht and his community.
Local media outlets reported that he was a fixture in Chicago’s marina scene, often recognized for his approachable nature and passion for boating.
Authorities continue to investigate the events leading up to the confrontation and the circumstances surrounding Trader’s actions. The Chicago Police Department has declined to provide additional details beyond those presented in court proceedings.
This tragic case spotlights the often-overlooked risks property owners face when confronting trespassers, as well as the potential consequences of minor disputes escalating into violence.
Sources: Independent UK