Missing Boater Found In River Identified

On the third day of the search effort along the Des Plaines River, Channahon Fire and Rescue authorities located the body of the drowning victim. The man, who lived in Minooka, disappeared on Sunday evening after going boating with another man and two women. The drowning victim has been identified as Baldur Kirsch Jr., age 47, according to multiple sources. Family and friends had been waiting near the marina of Big Fish Grille over the past couple days.

"His passion was boating and spending time in the river with his family and friends; making everyone feel loved. He treated everyone like family," according to a family statement provided to Joliet Patch.

Kirsch has one daughter, age 15, and he had worked as a union concrete finisher around the Will and Grundy County areas.

"Chloe was his world. She meant the world to him. He supported her in dance and soccer," the family informed Patch.

Patch was told the body was found downstream from where Kirsch was believed to have fallen or jumped into the water. The body was found in an area that's known as "Picnic Lookout." The drowning victim will be taken to the Grundy County Coroner's Office for an autopsy.

Around noon on Tuesday, the Channahon Fire Protection District issued an updated press release revealing that during the morning search period at approximately 8:48 a.m. a person matching the description of the male was located in the Des Plaines River approximately one mile west of the last seen location.

"The Grundy County Coroner and Illinois Department of Natural Resources are conducting the investigation.

"On behalf of all the first responders who have been involved with initial operations and continued recovery effort, our prayers and thoughts remain with family and friends," the press release stated.

The fire department's press release stated that "the individual's name has not been released pending official identification by the family."

However, Patch has confirmed through family that the missing boater was Kirsch, who has boated on the river for a number of years.

Images of Baldur Kirsch Jr. provided to Joliet Patch with permission to use