Search for missing person leads to closure of Rock Cut State Park and evacuation of visitors

WINNEBAGO COUNTY, Ill. (WIFR) – The search for a missing 31-year-old man sent hikers and paddlers home early Saturday afternoon at Rock Cut State Park.

Sergeant Audrey Hoftender of the Illinois Conservation Police at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (ICP) said the active investigation began in the early morning hours of July 27. Local and state authorities arrived soon after, with a canine unit searching the land for the person.

At around 3 p.m., Sgt. Hoftender said there was “reason to believe” that authorities would need to investigate Pierce Lake. Soon after, sirens sounded – urging visitors to evacuate the 3,000-acre park.

“You could see all the boats leaving,” said Barbara Reed, who started her camping trip from Roselle on Friday.

Across from the fishing pier and a few coves from the Hickory Hills campground, campers, hikers, bikers and more waited for clarification and answers. Until the missing man’s identity was confirmed, Barbara didn’t know what to think.

“I don’t understand why they’re closing the park because of this, but I guess they have to do what they have to do,” said the woman from Roselle. “We were a little worried and wondered if they would force us to leave the campground, but I hope not.”

No details are known about the missing man’s identity as the ICP says the investigation is ongoing, but the sergeant says the man has not been seen for nearly 24 hours.

ICP has evacuated Rock Cut State Park until 5 p.m. There is no information on whether campers will be able to stay at this time. Likewise, the park is closed until further notice.

An orange kayak and a soaked life jacket were cordoned off with police at the scene. Several hikers reported seeing dive teams from the Rockford Fire Department and other local agencies searching the shore at the Hickory Hill campground.

“This is where my husband and I always come for peace and quiet,” says Trish Riter, who lived behind the park for years. “We come here to escape. So this is very sad to hear.”

The woman, now living in Roscoe, looked for available information from other hikers and gathered rumors of a water rescue. After they passed the Kaya, which was cordoned off with caution tape, the mother of a 10-year-old explained the situation in terms of water safety and life jackets.

“My daughter can swim, but we let her swim anyway,” says Trish. “You never know, especially now. For me, this is a validation.”

As she exited northern Illinois’ largest park, “No Trespassing” and “Closed” signs blocked off roads on the property. Before her trip out of Rock Cut, Trish expressed her gratitude for what’s still around her.

“I’m going to hug my husband, hug my cats, hug my daughter. I’m going to be thankful for what I have,” says the Roscoe mother. “I’ll probably say a prayer.”

As of 10 p.m. Saturday, ICP had not yet updated search and rescue operations. Authorities switch to “search and recovery” on a body when the goal is no longer to save the person’s life.

Sergeant Hoftender explains that the Illinois State Police are assisting with the investigation.

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