Antioch Man's Death Consistent With Drowning: Coroner

ANTIOCH, IL — The body of a missing 24-year-old Anitoch man was recovered at around 2 p.m. Tuesday from the Des Plaines River near Libertyville. According to police, and based on circumstances and evidence found at the scene, the body has been preliminarily identified as Thomas "Tommy" Howe, who went missing on Jan. 22.

On Wednesday, the Lake County Coroner's Office released preliminary findings from an autopsy completed on Howe, determining it appears Howe drowned, according to the statement from the coroner's office.

"Further testing will take place throughout the coming weeks," according to the Lake County Coroner's Office statement.

Howe walked away from a crash on Interstate 94 in Libertyville more than three weeks ago and hasn't been seen since.

RELATED: Missing Antioch Man's Family Believes He Suffered Head Injury

Last Friday, an alert kayaker in the Des Plaines River saw a jacket along the shoreline that matched the description of the jacket Howe was last seen wearing, according to a news release. The kayaker then called police. From the tip, search teams consisting of multiple area police K9 units and fire department dive teams conducted initial searches of the river on Friday evening and Saturday. Due to unfavorable river conditions, the divers were not able to resume their work until Tuesday afternoon, when the body was discovered.

The Lake County Sheriff's Office and Lake County Coroner’s Office will continue an investigation into Howe’s death.

“We have been with the Howe family throughout their search for Tommy,” Antioch Police Chief Geoffrey Guttschow said. “This is a devastating time for them. The family will continue to be in our prayers."

Guttschow said he is appreciative of the support received from numerous partner police and fire agencies, volunteers, and the media during the search for Howe.

Last week, Howe's parents said they believe their son suffered a severe head injury that has led to him not returning home following the accident.

Matthew DeMartini, a spokesperson for the family, said Howe was headed from his apartment in Chicago to join his family for lunch on the day of the crash. He called his family to let them know he was going to stop at Target to pick up presents for a friend's birthday party he planned to attend later.

"Tommy had plans. He was living his life and was going to spend the day with family and friends he loved the most. He has no red flags in his life. ... That's why are we only left with speculation and guesses as to why he walked away," DeMartini said Friday. "Someone somewhere has to know anything."