John Staggs Obituary, Death;- The coroner has confirmed the identity of a 76-year-old man who was reported missing and subsequently discovered deceased in the water at a marina in Winthrop Harbor after an extensive search lasting several hours on Saturday.
An autopsy conducted on Monday indicated that John Staggs, 76, from Chicago, succumbed to drowning, as stated by Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek.
The Winthrop Harbor Fire Department was alerted at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Saturday to North Point Marina, located at 701 North Point Drive, regarding a report of a missing individual potentially in the water.
Winthrop Harbor Fire Chief Rocco Campanella noted that the police were initially dispatched to the location to inspect Staggs’ boat before requesting the fire department to carry out the water search.
First responders launched a coordinated search operation after preliminary investigations indicated a “high probability” that Staggs had entered the water, according to fire officials.
Staggs was last seen at around 10:30 p.m. on Friday. The Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) was activated to the box alarm level due to the incident’s extensive nature and complexity.
Fire officials reported that this activation brought in additional divers and side-scan sonar technicians to assist at the scene.
Fire, rescue, and law enforcement personnel from Lake, McHenry, and Kenosha counties participated in the search efforts.
Staggs was discovered deceased in the water beneath a dock at approximately 8:45 p.m. on Saturday, more than five hours after search crews commenced their operations, as stated by fire officials.
“The Winthrop Harbor Fire Department expresses its heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the victim during this challenging time,” the fire department remarked.
