Will County Forest Preserve Police Investigate Death Of Man Found At Hammel Woods

SHOREWOOD, IL — The Will County Forest Preserve Police Department is investigating a death that took place at the Hammel Woods Forest Preserve off Route 59.

The police agency informed Patch that the man was discovered inside his car on Saturday night around 9 p.m. as the officers were conducting their routine assignments of making sure that all vehicles were gone before they locked up the gates at Hammel Woods along Route 59 and the Black Road access points.

At first, the officers thought the man was sleeping, but then they saw a handgun in his lap and a bottle of liquor was near the body. Will County Forest Preserve Police said they are treating the Plainfield man's death as a self-inflicted gunshot wound, but the Will County Coroner's Office is awaiting the toxicology lab results before making a final determination on the man's cause and manner of death. The man was found in the parking lot near the stone pavilion with the old fireplace.

According to the Will County Forest Preserve website, Hammel Woods covers 454 acres and offers a mix of forest and wetland habitats along the DuPage River, providing opportunities for both quiet nature exploration and active outdoor recreation.

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