Body found in Wauconda swamp identified as missing Island Lake teen

The body of a missing 17-year-old boy from the north suburbs was found Friday in a swampy area of unincorporated Wauconda.

Authorities identified the body as Abe Gonzalez Friday afternoon, just hours after he was recovered from a swamp southwest of Slocum Lake, according to Lake County sheriff’s office spokesman Chris Covelli.

Gonzalez was found submerged in water about 10:45 a.m. after 15 sheriff’s detectives and deputies began a grid search of the area at daybreak, Covelli said.

Due to “treacherous conditions” in the icy swamp, authorities took until 1 p.m. to recover the body, Covelli said.

Gonzalez, of north suburban Island Lake, was reported missing after he left a gathering Nov. 1 in the 26700 block of North Morey Street in Wauconda, Covelli said.

An autopsy conducted about 4:30 p.m. Friday found that he drowned, the Lake County coroner said. There were no signs of foul play seen on his body.

Lake County sheriff’s office

The investigation into his death is ongoing, police said.