7/31/25 10 a.m. UPDATE: Body of Missing Kayaker Recovered

Published on July 30, 2025

The body of a kayaker who had been missing in the Fox River since Tuesday evening was recovered this morning, July 31, after a civilian called 911 at 5:58 a.m. The body of a male was located in the river near the Great Western Trail Bridge and has been positively identified as the missing kayaker.

The St. Charles Fire Department has concluded the search and recovery operation and the ongoing investigation into the incident continues by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police, who hold jurisdiction over the Fox River, and the Kane County Coroner’s Office.

The exhaustive, multi-agency search spanned nearly 20 hours over the course of two days and involved extensive resources, including side and sector scan sonar technology, specialized search-and-rescue canines, dive teams, underwater rovers, and the coordinated efforts of over two dozen supporting fire departments and multiple government agencies.

“I want to thank the significant number of fire departments, our police and Emergency Management Agency, the Conservation Police, the Kane County Sheriff’s office, the Kane County Office of Emergency Management, and volunteer groups for their ongoing support during this sustained search and recovery effort,” said St. Charles Fire Chief Jeremy Mauthe. “Their expertise, specialized equipment, and dedication were vital to this operation.

“This was a complex operation led by St. Charles Fire Chief Jeremy Mauthe and the St. Charles Fire Department,” said Mayor Clint Hull. “I appreciate their professionalism and the seamless inter-agency cooperation provided by first responder agencies across the region. We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and all who have been affected by this tragic incident.”

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Office of Law Enforcement at 217-782-6431.

Media inquires can be directed to Illinois Department of Natural Resources Public Information Officer Jayette Bolinski at 217-785-3953 or jayette.bolinski@illinois.gov.

****************************************************************

Search efforts to locate the kayaker missing in the Fox River in St. Charles since last night continued throughout the day today, concluding at 4:30 p.m. Despite extensive efforts, the individual has not yet been found. Search operations will resume tomorrow at 8 a.m., with the addition of a specialized underwater rover to aid in the search.

Today’s extensive recovery search efforts utilized multiple advanced techniques and specialized personnel, including side scan sonar technology, search-and-rescue canines, and fire department dive teams.

We are grateful to all our partner agencies for their continued assistance and invaluable expertise they’ve brought to this operation.

Further updates will be provided as they become available.

******************************************************************

At 9:36 p.m. on July 29, the St. Charles Fire Department responded to a call for a person in the water in the Fox River near Ferson Creek. First responders arrived on the scene and immediately initiated a coordinated water rescue operation. To access all available resources, mutual aid from 29 area fire departments was utilized to assist in the search effort, deploying divers and boats with specialized sonar and scan search equipment. Crews searched through the night until approximately 5 a.m.

Despite extensive efforts, the individual has not been located. Search operations resumed at 8:30 a.m. this morning, July 30, and now is has transitioned from rescue to recovery.

Press Conference details:
The St. Charles Fire Department is holding a Press Conference at 10 a.m. at Pottawatomie Park, 8 North Avenue, St. Charles (located at the back of Riverview Mini Golf, along the riverfront).