The wife of a Wisconsin father of two, who was found dead after going missing from Crystal Lake, called her husband’s death a “profound loss” as she remembers him for his “loving heart.”
Benjamin Stephen Oberto, 45, of New Berlin, Wisconsin, was reported missing to the New Berlin Police Department on Thursday.
The Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 1 announced Saturday morning that the search for Oberto had ended.
The Rosemont Police Department located a Subaru Impreza with Wisconsin registration on Friday evening.
The vehicle was partially submerged in a creek at the bottom of an embankment on the curve from the eastbound Interstate 90 ramp to northbound Interstate 294.
Divers located a body inside the vehicle, later identified as Oberto.
“I don’t yet have the words to truly express the deep sorrow I’m experiencing,” said Oberto’s wife, Laura Leatherberry.
“These past 60+ hours of searching, wondering, and fighting to find my husband has been excruciating, but the overwhelming love and support from our family, friends, and community has helped me through this. Together, we will get through this too,” Leatherberry said.
ISP said they have taken over as the lead agency on the investigation and further details were not immediately available.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office said an autopsy was performed on Oberto on Saturday.
A cause and manner of death determination was not made and remains pending.
Leatherberry said her husband was last seen at 8:55 p.m. Wednesday at 1776 Restaurant in Crystal Lake.
He was assumed to be headed home to New Berlin, Wisconsin, from the restaurant.
Leatherberry said that her husband’s last phone call was at 9:26 p.m. that evening and at 10:11 p.m. his phone went directly to voicemail.
A missing person report and police across Wisconsin and Illinois were involved in the search for Oberto, who was the father of a 3-year-old and a 21-year-old.
Police requested location data from the man’s cellular provider and his phone was pinged in the area of Chicago, Rosemont and O’Hare Airport around 9:45 p.m. Wednesday.
The phone went dead after that, Leatherberry said.
“Ben was not just my husband; he was a loving father, a cherished son, a caring brother, and a true friend to so many. His vibrant spirit, loving heart, and unmatched generosity left an indelible mark on every life he touched,” she said, calling his death a “profound loss.”
Leatherberry said the guardrail where her husband’s car traveled off of the interstate ramp was not there when Oberto crashed.
“Add back the guardrail that should have been there. Please add more signs telling people to beware,” she said.