Man charged with murder of popular Chicago charter boat captain at DuSable Harbor

Alexis Trader, 34, has been charged with one count of murder in the August 30 death of 63-year-old Nabil Abzal, also known as "Captain Bill".

Feb. 5, 2026 at 6:07pm

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Six months after a well-known charter boat captain was found dead at DuSable Harbor in downtown Chicago, a man has been charged with his murder. Prosecutors say Alexis Trader, 34, jumped the locked dock gate, let some friends into the harbor, and then allegedly hit Nabil Abzal, the 63-year-old captain, in the face, causing him to fall into the water and drown.

Why it matters

The death of a popular and well-known charter boat captain in a busy downtown harbor has shocked the Chicago community. The alleged murder also raises concerns about security and safety measures at the harbor, as well as the criminal history of the suspect, Alexis Trader.

The details

According to prosecutors, Trader jumped the locked dock gate, letting some friends into DuSable Harbor. When 63-year-old Nabil Abzal, also known as "Captain Bill", woke up and tried to escort the women off his boat, Trader allegedly came up and hit Abzal in the face, causing him to fall into the water and drown. Trader then allegedly called 911 using a fake name before leaving the scene.

  • On August 30, Nabil Abzal's body was found in DuSable Harbor.
  • On February 5, 2026, Alexis Trader was charged with one count of murder in Abzal's death.

The players

Alexis Trader

A 34-year-old man who has been charged with one count of murder in the death of Nabil Abzal.

Nabil Abzal

Also known as "Captain Bill", the 63-year-old charter boat captain who was found dead in DuSable Harbor.

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What they’re saying

“Trader has a long criminal history dating back to 2008, which includes open cases, including an attack of a gas station attendant in January 2025, two separate burglaries from April, and a DUI arrest just one week before Abzal's death.”

— Prosecutors (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The judge said that Trader's criminal history factored heavily in his decision to order Trader detained at Cook County Jail while he awaits trial.

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the need for improved security measures and better monitoring of individuals with criminal histories at public facilities like DuSable Harbor, in order to prevent such senseless acts of violence from occurring in the future.