The search for a missing 60-year-old duck hunter ended on November 4, 2023, when his body was found in Fourth Lake in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, near Lake Villa, Illinois.
Patrick Serzynski, missing since October 30, 2023, after a duck hunting excursion, was the subject of the search.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office confirmed the deceased as Serzynski, indicating that drowning was the likely cause, as per preliminary autopsy findings. Serzynski was last seen at his duck blind, a camouflaged shelter for hunting. His boat and belongings were later found at the site, but Serzynski himself was missing.
Rescue efforts involving dive teams and boats from various fire departments ensued, spanning the lake comprehensively. These efforts, however, did not locate Serzynski for five days.
A retired electrician with 38 years of service, Serzynski was an enthusiastic outdoorsman. He had recently celebrated his 30th wedding anniversary with his wife, Kimberley, in September.
No specific details have been released about the circumstances of Serzynski’s death, but foul play is not suspected. The Lake County Coroner’s Office is investigating the drowning.
The communities of Lake Villa and hunters at large have expressed their condolences to the Serzynski family during this difficult time.
