On May 21, 2012, at 8:45 AM, I arrived at the shoreline of the Rock River, to assist the Winnebago Co. Sheriffs Police with an investigation of a possible fatal boat accident. Once on-scene, I met with Winnebago Co. Detectives who briefed me on the missing boater. According to Winnebago Co. Detectives, Victim had been boating with several friends on the Rock River. At approximately 0330 hours on Sunday, May 20, 2012 Victim was last seen northbound on the Rock River from the Verdi Club, alone on his vessel. 

Friends and family were unable to contact Victim and had become concerned of his whereabouts.

On May 20, 2012, at approximately 1625 hours, Victim''s boat was discovered, unoccupied, and reported to the Winnebago Co. Sheriff''s Police. The vessel was located at the vacant U.S. Coast Guard Auxilliary Station boat launch, however, Victim was missing. 

Evidence suggests the boat had run aground "unmaned" after Victim had gone overboard, most likely shortly after he was last seen.  The boat had sat, abandoned, on the concrete ramp until reported to the police at 1625 hrs.  CPO responded to the scene with the Department''s side scan sonar boat. The IDNR sonar operator discovered what was believed to be Victim''s body in 14'' of water a short distance downstream of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxilliary Boat Launch.  The Rockford Fire Dive Team dove on the site and subsequently recovered Victim''s body.

A joint death investigation/fatal boat incident investigation is being conducted by the Winnebago County Sheriff''s Department and the Illinois Conservation Police.

FINAL SUMMARY- For an unknown reason, Victim left his watercraft or was ejected from his watercraft while it was underway, making way at an unknown speed.  Victim was not wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) at the time of the incident.  There is no evidence of criminal activity.  His Mercury outboard motor has a "kill switch" installed, but it had been overridden.  Victim was not wearing the "engine kill lanyard" (There was none present on the boat).  There were no obvious signs of injury to Victim''s body at the autopsy.  His toxicology report indicates his blood alcohol content at time of death was .152% with the presence of cannabis and cocaine in his system.  There was rumor that he often urinated over the side of his boat while it was underway, making way.  There is obviously no way to confirm that fact in this specific case.  Alcohol/Drug impairment, failure to wear a PFD and failure to have the engine kill switch lanyard properly installed and worn are the primary factors which lead to Victim''s death in this incident.  EOR

Rockford,IL                   