Jenn Gibbons was attacked and sexually assaulted in the early morning hours of Sunday, July 22.
Information about the attack was posted almost immediately on Facebook, and it spread quickly, particularly within the Chicago Rowing Union (CRU), the gay rowing team that Gibbons has coached for two years.
The attack has been covered in the Chicago Sun-Times and by NBC-TV, among other media outlets, particularly since she was in the midst of a 1,500-mile trip around Lake Michigan to raise funds to help breast cancer survivors live healthier lives.
The Sun-Times reported that Gibbons awoke to the sound of someone boarding her boat, which she had docked near a lighthouse on a stretch of remote shoreline in unincorporated Schoolcraft County in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. She rushed to lock the cabin door, but the stranger forced his way inside and sexually assaulter her, police said.
Gibbons screamed. No one could hear her, according to the Sun-Times.
"I was out in the middle of nowhere. It was terrifying," she told the Sun-Times in a full-page story, accompanied by a photo of Gibbons on her boat.
When the attack was over, Gibbons punched the man in the chest and ran, the Sun-Times reported. She tried to lock herself in a wooden outhouse, but her attacker forced his way inside. She fought him off until he fled in a yellow Jeep Wrangler that had a yellow smiley face on the spare tire cover and, possibly, Illinois license plates, police said.
Gibbons ultimately called 911.
Investigators released a sketch of the man on Tuesday and continued their search for clues. Gibbons told her story—allowing Windy City Times and the Sun-Times to release her name, as both papers do not name the victims of sexual assault—and she plans to resume her trip on Wednesday, the Sun-Times reported. "I could come home and no one would question it," she said. "But what happened will not define my trip."
Investigators have reason to believe the assailant traveled a significant distance to commit the assault. The suspect is described as a white male in his 30s, approximately 5'8" to 6' tall, with a fair amount of facial stubble hair, but not a full beard nor mustache. The man has light eyes, an average to athletic build and shorter well-kept hair. He was wearing a grayish green t-shirt, jean shorts and tennis shoes.
Gibbons is this year's Competitive Program Coach for CRU, her second year with the team. She coached the Novice program in 2010.
"As with countless others, Jenn is a source of inspiration for the team, both on the water at practices and now during her hiatus from CRU as she makes the trek around Lake Michigan," said CRU president Bill Moudry. "She provides inspiration through her courage, her self sacrifice, and her unrelenting positive attitude regardless of the circumstance."
In 2011, Gibbons was named Masters Coach of the Year by U.S. Rowing, a prestigious rowing honor that "highlights her achievements as an instructor and a leader in the rowing community," Moudry said. "CRU looks forward to her return in August when she will resume as coach for the Competitive Program."
Joshuah Thurbee, who rows for CRU, was one of many to replied to the Facebook post about Gibbons. He wrote, "Disgusted. Angry. Sad. Jenn — we're here for you."
On CRU's Facebook page, it said, "Jenn Gibbons, CRU supports you 100%. Our thoughts and prayers are with you."
Gibbons, 27, lives in Chicago and works as a Groupon customer-service agent. She departed the Chicago Yacht Club on June 15, and planned to return there by the end of August, according to the Marinette & Menominee EagleHerald.
A native of Battle Creek, Mich., Gibbons rowed at Michigan State University.
She began coaching in 2005 as the men's notice coach for Ignatius Chicago Crew.
She currently coaches high school and adult rowing, the EagleHerald reported.
- Anyone with information or investigative leads is asked to call the Michigan State Police toll-free at 1-866-411-0018.
- For more information about Row4ROW and Jenn's journey around Lake Michigan to benefit and raise awareness for Recovery On Water, go to row4row.org/ .
