ROCK ISLAND, Illinois — In the early morning hours of September 13th, 2019, a 23-year-old engineer from West Chicago was last seen leaving a bar in downtown Rock Island.
Jeremy Swiatek was reported missing when he did not show up for work the next day -- his body was recovered from the Mississippi River days later, on September 15th.
"The one thing that this last year has taught me is that, I realize how big of a role he had in my life," Alex Porter said. "Sometime I go to text him still. I still want to talk to him."
Alex and Ryan met Sunday in the District on the anniversary of their brother's death to honor his memory. They described Jeremy as a caring, inquisitive young man just starting his career.
"I can't believe he's gone," Ryan Porter said. "I was texting him that day. I wish I would have just called him that night."
Jeremy was in town working at the Rock Island County Landfill through his employer, Weaver Consultants Group, according to a press release from the East Moline Police Department on September 16th.
On Sunday, the brothers also installed a marker at Kelly's Landing in Andalusia, where Jeremy's body was found.