A man in his 70s who went missing was found dead in the water at a marina in Winthrop Harbor following an hours-long search that prompted a major fire department response.
The Winthrop Harbor Fire Department responded around 3:30 p.m. Saturday to North Point Marina, 701 North Point Drive, for a report of a missing person possibly in the water.
Winthrop Harbor Fire Chief Rocco Campanella said the police were initially called to the scene to check the missing person’s boat before calling the fire department to conduct the water search.
First responders initiated a coordinated search operation after an initial investigation revealed a “high probability” that the missing individual had entered the water, fire officials said.
The victim, a male in his 70s, was last seen around 10:30 p.m. Friday.
The Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) was activated to the box alarm level due to the scope and complexity of the incident.
Fire officials said the activation brought additional divers and side-scan sonar technicians to the scene.
Fire, rescue and law enforcement personnel from Lake, McHenry, and Kenosha counties assisted in the search.
The man was found deceased in the water beneath a dock around 8:45 p.m. Saturday, more than five hours after crews began searching, fire officials said.
“The Winthrop Harbor Fire Department extends its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the victim during this difficult time,” the fire department said.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources also assisted in the incident.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene and took possession of the subject, whose identity has not yet been released.
The coroner’s office is in the process of scheduling an autopsy on him.