A boat with swift water technicians and Mundelein Police K-9 Ranger search along the Des Plaines River Friday morning for a 30-year-old man (inset) who went missing near Lake Minear Beach, 600 West Oak Spring Road, in Libertyville Thursday afternoon. | Background Photo: Woo-Sung Shim / Lake and McHenry County Scanner; Inset: Provided
The man who went missing near Lake Minear and the Des Plaines River in Libertyville was found dead Friday evening following two days of extensive searches.
The man, who is 30-years-old, was located and recovered by emergency crews along the shoreline of the Des Plaines River near West Oak Spring Road around 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Lake County Forest Preserves police officers investigate a missing person report at Lake Minear Beach, 600 West Oak Spring Road, in Libertyville Thursday afternoon and into the evening. | Photo: Woo-Sung Shim / Lake and McHenry County Scanner
The searches began Thursday afternoon following a report that the man went missing after leaving his home in Evanston.
He was reportedly last seen near Lake Minear Beach, 600 West Oak Spring Road, and heading towards the Des Plaines River Trail, which is east of Minear Lake.
A utility vehicle with three firefighters drives down West Oak Spring Road during search operations Friday morning for a 30-year-old man who went missing near Lake Minear Beach, 600 West Oak Spring Road, in Libertyville Thursday afternoon. | Photo: Max Weingardt
The initial searches on Thursday summoned a response from Lake County Forest Preserves police officers, along with K-9s from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Mundelein Police Department, Waukegan Police Department and Arlington Heights Police Department.
Officers, K-9s and specialized search and rescue firefighters were seen searching near Minear Lake and along the Des Plaines River Trail Thursday afternoon and into the evening.
Dogs from numerous police departments assist in the search for a missing person along the Des Plaines River in Libertyville Thursday afternoon and into the evening. | Photo: Woo-Sung Shim / Lake and McHenry County Scanner
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Chief Christopher Covelli said the sheriff’s office also assisted with a drone unit and an inland boat.
The man was not found on Thursday, and searches resumed Friday morning.
Police officers and swift water technicians gather Friday morning at the Oak Spring Road Canoe Launch during search operations for a 30-year-old man who went missing near Lake Minear Beach, 600 West Oak Spring Road, in Libertyville Thursday afternoon. | Photo: Woo-Sung Shim / Lake and McHenry County Scanner
Boats and swift water technicians from departments across Lake and McHenry counties were requested just after 10 a.m. Friday through the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS).
Equipment and personnel gathered at the Oak Spring Road Canoe Launch and in the parking lot of Lake Minear Beach as they searched both the Des Plaines River and Lake Minear.
Swift water technicians prepare to launch a boat onto the Des Plaines River Friday morning in search of a 30-year-old man who went missing near Lake Minear Beach, 600 West Oak Spring Road, in Libertyville Thursday afternoon. | Photo: Woo-Sung Shim / Lake and McHenry County Scanner
At least nine specialized swift water rescue technicians were at the scene.
Crews were also using ATVs on the river trail to search.
Crews search along the Des Plaines River Trail off West Oak Spring Road in Libertyville Friday morning in search of a 30-year-old man who went missing near Lake Minear Beach, 600 West Oak Spring Road, Thursday afternoon. | Photo: Max Weingardt
An additional request for sonar technicians through the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) was made at around 12:10 p.m.
The searches along the Des Plaines River concluded at around 1 p.m., and crews transitioned to searching Lake Minear using side-scan sonar.
Police officers and sonar technicians gather Friday morning at Lake Minear Beach, 600 West Oak Spring Road in Libertyville, in search of a 30-year-old man who went missing near the beach Thursday afternoon. | Photo: Woo-Sung Shim / Lake and McHenry County Scanner
The searches on Lake Minear concluded at around 4 p.m. Friday.
Multiple K-9s continued to search along the shoreline through Friday afternoon and evening before the man was located and recovered.
Mundelein Police Officer Kevin Freese and his four-legged partner, Ranger, assist in the search for a 30-year-old man who went missing near Lake Minear Beach, 600 West Oak Spring Road, Thursday afternoon. | Photo: Woo-Sung Shim / Lake and McHenry County Scanner
“We are saddened to share that the man who was reported missing after leaving his Evanston home has been found deceased,” the Lake County Forest Preserves said.
“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with his family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”
A boat with swift water technicians and Mundelein Police K-9 Ranger search along the Des Plaines River Friday morning for a 30-year-old man who went missing near Lake Minear Beach, 600 West Oak Spring Road, in Libertyville Thursday afternoon. | Photo: Woo-Sung Shim / Lake and McHenry County Scanner
“We are deeply grateful to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, local fire and police departments, K-9 teams and all emergency responders whose tireless efforts, professionalism and collaboration supported the extensive search,” the forest preserves added.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene and is now handling the investigation.
The man’s identity has not been released yet and an autopsy is being scheduled.
