Gustavo Guzman-Perez, 28, of McHenry, was found dead on May 3, 2023, after he was reported to have gone missing early in the morning on April 22, 2023, police said. | Provided Photo

The coroner has ruled that a 28-year-old man whose body was found along the Fox River after disappearing from McHenry in May died as a result of drowning, but his manner of death is unknown.

Gustavo Guzman-Perez, 28, of McHenry, was found around 3:15 p.m. on May 3 in the 2000 block of South Fernwood Lane in unincorporated McHenry.

McHenry Deputy Police Chief Thomas Walsh said at the time that a boater on the Fox River noticed a male subject in the water and called 911.

Fire department radio traffic indicated that the body was possibly washed up along the shore behind a residence.

Paramedics arrived on the scene and confirmed Guzman-Perez was deceased.

McHenry County Coroner Dr. Michael Rein said Monday that his office has completed the final autopsy and investigation.

Police respond to the 2000 block of South Fernwood Lane in unincorporated McHenry after a person discovered a body near a residence along the Fox River on May 3, 2023. | Photo: Nick Rusin

The cause of death was ruled a drowning and the manner of death is undetermined, Rein said, adding that the investigation will continue to determine the manner.

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Hebron resident Dana Perez said their family received news that “no one wanted to hear” when they learned of Guzman-Perez’s death.

“Gustavo Ivan loved the outdoors and animals including horses and roosters. He was so close to many family members here as well as in Mexico. He was a caring person with a contagious smile. We are devastated with the loss of his young life and are hoping to give him a proper service,” Perez said in May.

Members of Guzman-Perez’s family reported him missing to the McHenry Police Department on April 22.

The police department said they had been actively searching for Guzman-Perez since that time.

Guzman-Perez was seen around 2 a.m. on April 22 in the 1200 block of North Green Street in McHenry, police initially said.

Police respond to the 2000 block of South Fernwood Lane in unincorporated McHenry after a person discovered a body near a residence along the Fox River on May 3, 2023. | Photo: Nick Rusin

Police later said he was last seen around the same time near a residence in the 3000 block of West Virginia Avenue, which is approximately a mile southeast of the Green Street location.

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The McHenry Police Department was assisted by the McHenry Township Fire Protection District, McHenry County Sheriffโ€™s Office and the McHenry County Emergency Management Agency as part of large-scale searches for Guzman-Perez.

Multiple fire departments and trained search volunteers also assisted in searches.

Guzman-Perez had gone out with a friend on April 21, the day before he was reported missing, and then was not seen again.

The residence in the 3000 block of West Virginia Avenue in McHenry where Guzman-Perez was last seen is where his friend resides, police said.

McHenry Deputy Police Chief Thomas Walsh said foul play is not suspected and there is no danger to the community.