Emergency crews were searching Mineola Bay in the Village of Fox Lake for 25-year-old Destin Peter (inset) after he was reported missing early Tuesday morning and believed to have jumped into the lake. He was located safe later in the morning on Crabapple Island. | Background Photo: Photo: Nick Rusin; Inset: Provided

A missing 25-year-old man has been found alive on an island following a large search effort after he reportedly 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. He was located safe later in the morning on Crabapple Island. | 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.

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

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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. He was located safe later in the morning on Crabapple Island. | Photo: Joe Shuman/J. Shuman Photography (2025)

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 was 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. He was located safe later in the morning on Crabapple Island. | Photo: Joe Shuman/J. Shuman Photography (2025)

The fire department 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.

Howell said in an update that a resident on Crabapple Island, a small residential island, called 911 around 9:30 a.m.

The resident reported that Peter was found safe in his backyard.

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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. He was located safe later in the morning on Crabapple Island. | Photo: Nick Rusin

Police officers and firefighters responded along with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Police to the island and confirmed Peter was safe, Howell said.

The man was transported back to shore, reunited with his family and received a medical evaluation.

“The Fox Lake Police Department would like to thank the Fox Lake Fire Protection District, the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, Illinois Department of Natural Resources Police, the Search and Rescue K9 and Drone Strike Team, and all other area police departments who provided assistance,” Howell said.