The coroner is seeking the community’s help in identifying a man who was found floating face down in Lake Michigan along the shoreline of a beach in Highland Park Friday evening.
The Lake County Forest Preserves Police Department, Highland Park Police Department and Highland Park Fire Department responded around 6:08 p.m. Friday to Openlands Lakeshore Preserve at Fort Sheridan, 10 Cliff Road in Highland Park.
Lake County Forest Preserves Chief Ron Davis said officers responded to the shoreline after receiving calls for a possible body in the water.
Officers arrived and located a body in shallow water, Davis said.
Fire department radio traffic indicated there were several 911 calls for a body face down in the water.
Lake County Chief Deputy Coroner Steve Newton confirmed the body was seen floating face down in the water by bystanders.
The fire department removed the victim from the shallow water and the Lake County Coroner’s Office took possession of it, according to Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek.
“The incident remains under investigation. There is no ongoing threat to the public,” Davis said.
An autopsy was conducted at the Lake County Coroner’s Office on Monday.
Banek said examination results indicate the man’s death is consistent with drowning.
“At this time, despite multiple scientific attempts, identification has not been completed,” she said.
The deceased is a male, approximately 5-foot-3 tall, who weighed approximately 140 pounds and was estimated to be in his late 50s to early 70s.
He had grey hair and was bald at the top of the head. He had been wearing light blue, light-weight drawstring shorts, an olive-green Adidas hat, size 7 Nike shoes, a white metal (silver color) ring and a Tahari watch.
Newton said the man is believed to have been down at the beach swimming prior to his death.
His shoes, socks, baseball cap and glasses were at the end of the trail that goes to the beach area.
He is believed to have been dead for approximately a day, Newton said.
Anyone who has information that could help identify the man is asked to call the Lake County Coroner’s Office at 847-377-2200 or the Lake County Forest Preserve Police Department.