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May 9, 2023

McHenry resident Gustavo Guzman-Perez, 28, was positively identified as the deceased individual found in the Fox River on May 3
Photo provided.
McHenry resident Gustavo Guzman-Perez, 28, was positively identified as the deceased individual found in the Fox River on May 3

News • May 9, 2023

Family of missing McHenry man ask for donations as body found in Fox River confirmed as being his

By

MCHENRY — On April 22, the McHenry Police Department notified the public that a local 28-year-old man, Gustavo Guzman-Perez, was reported missing by members of his family. Guzman-Perez was last seen on that Saturday at approximately 2 a.m. near a residence in the 3300 block of W Virginia Avenue.

Authorities soon began an active search for the missing McHenry man and were further assisted on April 23 by the McHenry County Township Fire Protection District (MTFPD), the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, and the McHenry County Emergency Management Agency.

Approximately 60 volunteers trained in search and rescue were also utilized in the search as law enforcement deployed an aerial drone and police canines to an area covering 665 acres in and around the McHenry Country Club.

Additionally, the MTFPD used watercraft to search the Fox River from Route 120 to the area of the McHenry Dam, with that yielding no trace of Guzman-Perez.

As search efforts continued, on May 3, at approximately 3:15 p.m., the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office and the MTFPD were dispatched to the 2000 block of S Fernwood Lane for the report of a deceased subject found in the Fox River. The body was located by a boater on the river who noticed the male subject in the water and then proceeded to notify authorities.

While the McHenry County Coroner’s Office hadn’t released the identity of the deceased individual at that time, family members of Guzman-Perez were vocal about his passing on social media, ultimately confirming that the body found in the Fox River belonged to the missing McHenry man.

“Fly high my child…I hug you with my heart to the heavens my little angel and I know that from there you will care for your parents and all your family will remember you forever. Rest in peace Gustavo Iban Guzman-Perez,” wrote Erika Palomino, one of Guzman-Perez’s cousins, on Facebook following the McHenry Police Department’s May 3 update.

On May 5, the McHenry Police Department released further information officially confirming that Guzman-Perez was located deceased in the Fox River on May 3.

“An autopsy was performed by the McHenry County Coroner’s Office and Gustavo was positively identified. His manner of death will be determined pending the toxicology results,” said McHenry Police Public Affairs Officer Michael Spohn in a press release statement. “The McHenry Police Department asks the public for restraint in jumping to conclusions based off internet rumors. While we will continue to investigate the circumstances related to the matter, with the information developed in this extensive investigation we can assure the community there is no threat to the public.”

A few days after the official confirmation of Guzman-Perez’s death, his family set up a GoFundMe to raise funds in hopes of having him buried in Mexico.

“On Friday, April 21, 2023 Gustavo Ivan Guzman-Perez went out with a friend as many his age do. When Gustavo Ivan did not come home that night as a family, we were all concerned as that was out of character for him. On Saturday, April 22, 2023, we reported him missing and have been searching and praying since,” wrote members of Guzman-Perez’s family on the GoFundMe page.

The family continued, “On Wednesday, May 3, 2023 we received the news that no one wanted to hear, we were informed that Gustavo Ivan was found deceased. Gustavo Ivan loved the outdoors and animals including horses and roosters. He was close to many family members here as well as in Mexico. He was a caring person with a contagious smile. We are devastated with the loss of his young life and are hoping to give him a proper service. This tragedy has been difficult for the entire family.”

As of May 8, over $3,000 has been raised of the initial $15,000 goal.

Authorities are continuing to ask anyone that has information related to this investigation to please call the McHenry Police Department at 815-363-2200 or its Criminal Investigation Division at 815-363-2599.

Those wishing to pass along anonymous information are encouraged to call the McHenry Police Department tip line at 815-363-2124. All calls made to the tip line are anonymous as Caller ID is not used.

Anyone interested in donating to Guzman-Perez’s GoFundMe may do so by visiting gofund.me/93adcc77.