A 25-year-old man from Kenosha, Wisconsin, died overnight after jumping into a water channel just north of Petite Lake.

On June 4, 2023, at approximately 1:05 a.m., Lake County Sheriff’s Marine Unit Deputies responded to the ‘Long Channel,’ located between Petite Lake and Spring Lake for a man who went underwater.   Members of the Sheriff’s Marine Unit along with Lake Villa Fire Protection District searched the channel for several hours.  Sheriff’s deputies also utilized a drone in the search.  At approximately 6:30 a.m., the deceased man’s body was recovered from the water.  

Preliminary investigation shows the man was likely heavily intoxicated, as witnesses observed him drinking at birthday party.  Following the party, the man returned to a residence in the 25100 block of West Forest Drive, Unincorporated Lake Villa, and jumped from a pier into the water with his clothes on.  The man was able to swim to shore and a relative helped him remove his wet clothing and took him to bed.  A short time later, the man left bed, jumped into the water again, this time without clothing, and attempted to swim across the channel.  The man went underwater as he swam across the channel.

The Lake County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene and an autopsy is being scheduled.

The incident remains under investigation by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit.