Updated 9/10/18
On Monday August 27, 2018 at 10:30 PM, the Lake Forest Police Department received a report of a missing kayaker 20-year-old male, Sebastian Duncan of Glenview, IL in Lake Michigan. The missing kayaker’s companion, also a 20 year-old male, swam to shore after his kayak capsized. He reported that both kayaks capsized in rough waters and the two became separated. Neither individual is a student of Northwestern as reported in several media outlets.
On Sunday, September 9, a forensic examination performed by the Lake County Coroner positively identified a body found Saturday morning, September 8, as missing kayaker Sebastian Duncan of Glenview, IL who went missing on August 27.
Sebastian was found by a passerby along Highland Park’s Openlands Lake Michigan Shoreline near Fort Sheridan. The City of Highland Park Police and Fire Departments responded immediately and removed Sebastian from the water.
Please continue to keep the Duncan family in your thoughts during this difficult time.
On Monday August 27, 2018 at 10:30 PM, the Lake Forest Police Department received a report of a missing kayaker 20-year-old male, Sebastian Duncan of Glenview, IL in Lake Michigan. The missing kayaker’s companion, also a 20 year-old male, swam to shore after his kayak capsized. He reported that both kayaks capsized in rough waters and the two became separated. Neither individual is a student of Northwestern as reported in several media outlets.
The kayakers were determined to have launched from Park Avenue Beach in Highland Park at approximately 5:00 PM. The Highland Park Police and Fire Departments were notified and immediately responded at 10:40 PM to assist Lake Forest Police and Fire conducting land and water searches. The US Coast Guard was en route to the scene at 11:00 PM and led search operations by boat and helicopter.
The search was temporarily suspended around 2:00 AM Tuesday morning at the recommendation of the Coast Guard due to deteriorating weather conditions.
The US Coast Guard, assisted by the City of Highland Park and Lake Forest Fire and Police personnel, resumed the search for the missing kayaker at approximately 9:00 AM after hazardous conditions subsided.
The search area included approximately 130 square miles by air and on water along Lake Michigan. City of Highland Park and City of Lake Forest Public safety personnel continue to search along the beachfront and will continue the search. Municipalities along the lakefront have been notified and are on alert.
The City is asking anyone with information to share, to please contact the City of Highland Park Police Department at 847.432.7730. Please keep the family in your thoughts during this difficult time.
More information will be provided as it becomes available.