Coroner Works To ID Man Found Dead At Forest Preserve

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — The McHenry County Coroner's Office is asking for the public's help in identifying a man who was found dead at Rush Creek Conservation Area in Harvard last year. The McHenry County Coroner's Office has used the man's fingerprints, dental examination records and DNA analysis to try and identify him, but none of those efforts have been successful.

The body a white man between 50 and 70 years old was found at the local conservation area on May 4, 2019. He is about 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighs around 224 pounds.

Authorities have determined the death is not suspicious in nature. The man was found to be wearing the following at the time of his death: A black fleece beanie hat, a blue-brown "Swiss Tech" coat (size extra-large), a "Carhartt" Collinston-style brushed fleece sherpa-lined zip sweatshirt (size extra-large), a black and gray polo t-shirt, a gray knit scarf with purple trim, black "cold weather grip" gloves, blue "George" jeans (size 36x32), a brown belt with silver buckle, blue "Hanes" polka dot boxer briefs, a black active ankle bracelet on each ankle, white and gray socks and black "Asics" gym shoes (size 11).

The McHenry County Coroner's Office in conjunction with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Forensic Imaging unit has compiled a digital facial reconstruction meant to give authorities an idea of what the man may have looked like.

"We only recently were able to develop the computer generated composite, which took several months to develop," McHenry County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Aimee Knopp told Patch in an e-mail response.

"From the onset the Conversation District and the Coroner’s Office have been trying to identify this person," Knopp added in the e-mail response. She said an in-depth follow-up investigation has included DNA testing, rehydrating the man's fingers for fingerprinting on two separate occasions, forensic dental examinations and submissions, and more.

"All of these measures as well as other measures not mentioned above take time to complete," she said.

Anyone who knows a missing person who may resemble the forensic sketch or who may know the person's identity is asked to contact McHenry County Coroner's Office deputy coroner Olivia Zednick at OAZednick@mchenrycountyil.gov or call 815-334-4773.