Emergency crews were searching Mineola Bay in the Village of Fox Lake for 25-year-old Destin Peter after he was reported missing early Tuesday morning and believed to have jumped into the lake. | Provided Photos

A massive search effort is underway after a missing 25-year-old man in emotional distress was reported to have jumped into a lake in Fox Lake early Tuesday morning.

The Fox Lake Police Department responded around 12:22 a.m. Tuesday to South Maple Avenue in Fox Lake for a report of a missing adult male.

Friends received a message from 25-year-old Destin Peter indicating that he was emotionally distressed and possibly heading towards the water, according to Fox Lake Police Department Sgt. Rick Howell.

Emergency crews were searching Mineola Bay in the Village of Fox Lake for 25-year-old Destin Peter after he was reported missing early Tuesday morning and believed to have jumped into the lake. | Photo: Joe Shuman/J. Shuman Photography (2025)

The Fox Lake Police Department, along with the Fox Lake Fire Protection District and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit, began conducting searches of Mineola Bay and the shoreline.

Howell said the Round Lake Beach Police Department, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the Round Lake Police Department also sent drones to assist in the effort.

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The Search and Rescue K9 and Drone Strike Team was also requested to aid in the search for Peter.

Emergency crews were searching Mineola Bay in the Village of Fox Lake for 25-year-old Destin Peter after he was reported missing early Tuesday morning and believed to have jumped into the lake. | Provided Photo

Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said the search went on for several hours overnight using drones, boats and sonar before the effort was suspended around 4 a.m.

Covelli said it is believed Peter entered Mineola Bay after a pile of his belongings was found near the water.

The water search resumed after the sun came up on Tuesday morning.

Emergency crews were searching Mineola Bay in the Village of Fox Lake for 25-year-old Destin Peter after he was reported missing early Tuesday morning and believed to have jumped into the lake. | Photo: Joe Shuman/J. Shuman Photography (2025)

The fire department has switched from a rescue effort and declared the search a “recovery” effort.

The Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) was activated to the box alarm level around 8:30 a.m. to bring specialized fire department equipment and personnel from throughout Lake and McHenry counties to the scene.

“Officially, the determination between rescue and recovery falls under the fire department’s jurisdiction,” Covelli said.

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Emergency crews were searching Mineola Bay in the Village of Fox Lake for 25-year-old Destin Peter after he was reported missing early Tuesday morning and believed to have jumped into the lake. | Photo: Joe Shuman/J. Shuman Photography (2025)

“That said, speaking realistically—given the time that has passed, and if the individual was not wearing a flotation device or did not make it to shore—the odds of survival are unfortunately low,” Covelli said.

Covelli said that searchers remain fully committed to doing everything possible to locate him and bring closure to his loved ones.

Anyone with information about Peter’s location or who has seen him is asked to call the Fox Lake Police Department at 847-587-3100.