Body Of Missing 24-Year-Old Thomas Howe Located Near Libertyville, Officials Say

By Woo-Sung Shim, the Lake & McHenry County Scanner:

The body of 24-year-old Thomas “Tommy” Howe, who went missing over three weeks ago, has been located near Libertyville, officials said.

Howe, 24, of Antioch, was reported missing to the Antioch Police Department on January 22.

Howe’s body was recovered shortly before 2 p.m. Tuesday from the Des Plaines River near Libertyville, according to Antioch Communication Specialist Jim Moran.

On Friday, a kayaker on the river spotted a jacket along the shoreline that matched the description of Howe’s gray North Face jacket.

The kayaker called police and teams consisting of multiple police canines and fire department divers conducted initial searches of the river on Friday and Saturday, Moran said.

The Libertyville Fire Department’s Dive Team conducts a search on the Des Plaines River Saturday after a kayaker spotted a jacket along the shoreline that matched the description of Howe’s gray North Face jacket. | Provided Photo

Due to unfavorable river conditions, divers paused the search and resumed Tuesday afternoon, at which time they located Howe’s body.

“Based on the circumstances and evidence found at the scene, the body has been preliminarily identified as Howe,” Moran said.

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The Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Lake County Coroner’s Office will conduct an investigation into Howe’s death.

Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli told Lake and McHenry County Scanner that foul play is not suspected and an autopsy will be conducted tomorrow morning.

Howe was reported missing following a crash on Interstate 94 at mile marker 16.75.

He left the scene on foot towards the Old School Forest Preserve near Libertyville, witnesses reported.

On January 24, search teams located Howe’s work cell phone in the forest preserve but found no other signs of the man.

The Libertyville Fire Department’s Dive Team conducts a search on the Des Plaines River Saturday after a kayaker spotted a jacket along the shoreline that matched the description of Howe’s gray North Face jacket. | Provided Photo

Antioch Police Commander Charles Smith said during a press conference on Friday that over 200 leads had been received, including possible sightings.

Smith said investigators found no indication of trauma in Howe’s vehicle following the crash.

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However, he said it cannot be ruled out that Howe suffered trauma.

“We have been with the Howe family throughout their search for Tommy,” Antioch Police Chief Geoff Guttschow said.

“This is a devastating time for them. The family will continue to be in our prayers,” Guttschow added.

Lake and McHenry County Scanner is a local breaking news website covering issues that matter such as shootings, stabbings, house fires, kidnappings, car accidents, and more around Lake County and McHenry County.