Crime & Safety

Body Pulled from Palos Heights Lake is Missing Crestwood Man (Update)

James Sylvester, 21, has been missing since last week. Rescue crews found him, along with a Honda Civic, in a Cook County forest preserve lake.

Updated 7:56 p.m. April 5

PALOS, IL -- A body pulled from a Palos Heights lake Friday has been confirmed as missing Crestwood man James Sylvester, according to the Cook County Sheriff's office.

Sylvester had been missing since March 27, police said. His body was found along with a Honda Civic in Arrowhead Lake, located near 135th Street and Harlem Avenue in Cook County forest preserve land.

Find out what's happening in Paloswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The 21-year-old college student from Crestwood was distraught over a relationship, police said. His last communication was a text message to friends and ex-girlfriend saying, "Tell everyone I'm sorry."

Hundreds of volunteers had turned out to help search for Sylvester. Police told the family that a “credible source” indicated that Sylvester had been spotted in Oak Forest on Monday.

Find out what's happening in Paloswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Sylvester drove a Honda Civic, police said.

The last ping from Sylvester's cellphone came from the area of 135th Street and Harlem Avenue, according to police.

Original post

Firefighters and law enforcement are working on removing a car from Lake Arrowhead in Palos Heights, according to the Cook County Sheriff's Office.

Firefighters on scene dressed in dive suits were searching an area between 50 to 100 feet from the shore.

"There is a car in the water and they are trying to recover it," said Cook County Sheriff's spokeswoman Sophia Ansari.

Police on scene said they are treating the area as a potential crime scene. Authorities were first called to the location around 12:40 p.m. Friday, Ansari said.

The forest preserve area is closed off while authorities investigate.

Dive teams from Orland, Palos, Palos Heights, New Lenox and Peotone fire departments and districts are working on scene. Cook County Forest Preserve Police also were at the location.

Return to Patch later for updates.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Join Patch! Create a free user account and join the discussion about the future of the area. You'll be subscribed to the free daily newsletter and breaking news alerts.

Orland Park / Palos / Oak Forest / Oak Lawn / Tinley Park


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.