Body Found In River Identified As Missing Vernon Township Man

WAUKEGAN, IL — A 50-year-old Vernon Township resident who was reported missing Saturday was identified as the man found dead Sunday in the Des Plaines River about a mile from his home.

Raj Rawal left his home in the 300 block of Inverrary Lane, located in an unincorporated area between Riverwoods and Buffalo Grove, without bringing his wallet or his keys at around 10:30 a.m. Saturday, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Office. His family reported he left on a bicycle and had been recently been showing signs of depression.

Rawal's bicycle and cell phone were found Sunday afternoon along the shoreline of the Des Plaines River Trail near the intersection of Lake Cook Road and Milwaukee Avenue, according to Sgt. Chris Covelli. Police and sheriff's office staff searched with dogs, a drone, a helicopter and a watercraft but were unable to find him before dark.

Around 6:30 p.m. Sunday, the Lake County Coroner's Office was notified that a man's body had been found in the river just east of North Riverwalk Drive in unincorporated Buffalo Grove. Two hours later, the sheriff's office announced "no further assistance is needed in locating Rawal."

On Friday, Coroner Howard Cooper identified Rawal as the man who was found and said an autopsy had been performed Monday.

"The preliminary autopsy results indicate he drowned in the river," Cooper said. The coroner did not specify whether Rawal's death was considered accidental, but he said his office and the sheriff's office are continuing to investigate his death.