Body found in Fox River identified to be missing Carpentersville resident by family members

CARPENTERSVILLE — Since June 25, authorities have actively been searching for 21-year-old Carpentersville resident Jesus Maldonado, who was reported missing by his family after last having been seen on June 24 at 4 p.m.

While news of the missing person spread throughout the community, the Village of Carpentersville Public Safety Department released a statement on June 26, regarding a human body that was discovered in the Fox River.

At approximately 7:33 a.m. on June 26, the Kane County Sheriff’s Office, the Kane County Forest Preserve Police Department, the Carpentersville Police Department, and the Carpentersville Fire Department were dispatched to the Fox River Forest Preserve located at 701 Williams Road.

Upon discovery of the body, authorities subsequently removed it from the water.

Detectives from both the fire department and the police department were on the scene to investigate the incident.

Shortly after, the Kane County Coroner’s Office arrived to transport the body to their headquarters, where an autopsy is currently pending at this time.

While the coroner’s office has not made a positive identification of the body due to the condition it was found in, Carpentersville authorities have reason to believe that the body may be Maldonado’s and therefore have notified his family.

Not long after the incident, members of the Maldonado family came on the record to confirm that the discovered body was indeed that of the missing Carpentersville man.

One of Maldonado’s relatives started a Go Fund Me fundraiser to help his family pay for funeral expenses and so far, it has managed to accumulate over $14,000 of its $15,000 goal.

“We humbly ask that whatever you can help with we greatly appreciate it from the bottom of our hearts, and please no donation is too small,” wrote Maldonado’s relative, Denise, on the Go Fund Me page. “My aunt Ines and cousins have very difficult days ahead of them and this will help them immensely, as it will be one less thing to worry about.”

In addition to the Go Fund Me, Maldonado’s friends and family plan to host a fundraising event on Saturday, July 2, in hopes of raising more funds to cover any other expenses that may arise.

For those interested in attending the event to support the Maldonado family, the fundraiser is expected to take place at 10 a.m. at 1530 Amarillo Drive in Carpentersville.