Authorities ID Man Found In Water At Park In Lake In The Hills

LAKE IN THE HILLS, IL --- An autopsy performed on a 63-year-old Algonquin man who was found in the water at a Lake in the Hills park Tuesday revealed he suffered a sudden cardiac arrest before dying, McHenry County Coroner Anne Majewski said in a statement Wednesday. The man has been identified as Robert C. Van Ness, Jr., of Algonquin. Emergency personnel were called to Larsen Park, 1111 Pyott Road, at 10:40 a.m. after a bystander noticed a person face down in the water, according to authorities.

Emergency crews arrived on scene and immediately began searching the area. The victim was located and removed from the water.

Ness was pronounced dead at the scene.

An autopsy Wednesday morning revealed Ness had an enlarged heart that likely lead to a sudden cardiac arrest, Majewski said. Following the heart attack, he fell face down into the water.

Majewski said it did not appear he died from drowning.

Patch will update with more details once they become available.