Crime & Safety

Teen Who Died in Crystal Lake Drowning Identified

A 15-year-old boy who died last week after rescuers searched for about 90 minutes for him in a Crystal Lake pond has been identified. 
Jose A Esquivel of Crystal Lake died at an area hospital following the incident in the 6100 block of Haligus Road in Crystal Lake, according to the McHenry County Coroner's Office press release. An autopsy revealed the preliminary cause of death was drowning. 
The McHenry County Coroner's Office continues to investigate the death. No suspicious circumstances or foul play is suspected. 

The above information was updated at 5:30 a.m. on April 22. 

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A 15-year-old Crystal Lake boy has died after rescuers pulled him from a pond behind a home on Haligus Road, according to the McHenry County Coroner's Office. 

The boy, whose name is not being released, was missing for 90 minutes before divers located him in 8 feet of water at about 10:37 p.m. on Thursday at a pond in the 6100 block of Haligus Road. 

The teen, who is described as a Hispanic male, was taken to Centegra Woodstock Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 11:43 p.m. The boy was originally listed in critical condition when he was first brought to the hospital. An autopsy is expected later today. 

The boy was attending a party at the home when he stripped off some of his clothes and jumped into the pond from the pier. When he failed to surface, the Crystal Lake Fire Department was called, according to a McHenry County Sheriff's Office press release. 

There is no indication that alcohol or drugs were a factor in the incident and there is also no indication that any criminal activity was involved in the boy's death, according to the news release. 

The Sheriff's Office and Coroner's Office are investigating the boys death. The sheriff's office does not anticipate making any arrests in connection with the incident, police said. 

Haligus Road was shut down for three hours as Crystal Lake Fire conducted its rescue operation, according to the sheriff's office. 

The above information was updated at 11 a.m. on April 18. 
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ORIGINAL ARTICLE: A 15-year-old boy is in critical condition after becoming submerged in a Crystal Lake pond Thursday night, according to the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department press release. 

The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department was called to 6100 Haligus Road about 9:05 p.m. Thursday for a report of a subject under water. 

When rescuers arrived on scene, bystanders said the 15-year-old boy was missing and believed to be in the pond. Firefighters searched the water along shore and divers were called to the scene to search the deeper waters, which were reportedly 20 feet deep in areas, according to the news release. 

The teen was located at 10:37 p.m. in about 8 feet of water. Paramedics treated him on scene and he was transported to Centegra Hospital in Woodstock in critical condition. 

"Due to the cold temperature of the water and time the victim was submerged, crews were still operating in rescue mode," according to the news release. 

The McHenry County Sheriff's Office is investigating the circumstances that lead up to the 911 call for help. 

Crystal Lake received assistance from fire departments in McHenry, Lake and Kane counties. The McHenry County Crisis team and sheriff's office also assisted at the scene. 


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