UPDATE: The man has been safely located, police announced Monday afternoon.
Police are seeking the public’s help in locating a suicidal man who went missing after arriving in Illinois from the United Kingdom and was possibly last in Lake Villa.
The Lake Villa Police Department said they are searching for Joseph I. Hart, 20, who was reported missing late Saturday evening.
Lake Villa Police Department Lt. James DeCaro said the man had made concerning statements that he wanted to harm himself.
Hart was visiting the area from the United Kingdom.
He arrived in Illinois a few days prior to being reported missing to meet a woman he had been speaking with through a social media platform.
Hart later began sending messages on social media that he wanted to cause harm to himself, DeCaro said.
Hart said he was at the Lake Villa Metra Station.
The concerning statements were seen on social media, which prompted a call to the police, DeCaro said.
The metra station was checked by officers but Hart was not located. He has not been heard from since late Saturday evening.
DeCaro said Hart has no vehicle, no working cell phone and no other known acquaintances in the area.
Police are working with other agencies, including United Kingdom authorities and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, to locate Hart.
Family members and law enforcement in the United Kingdom have been contacted by the Lake Villa Police Department.
The family reported Hart suffers from mental health issues and has a history of suicidal tendencies, DeCaro said.
“Our main goal is to locate Joseph safe, get him the help he needs, and help get him back home to his family,” Lake Villa Police Chief Rochelle Tisinai said.
Hart is described as being 6-foot, approximately 210 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes. A last known clothing description was not known.
Anyone who sees Hart or has additional information is asked to contact the Lake Villa Police Department at 847-356-6106 or call their local law enforcement agency.