Elgin man drowns after jumping in lake near Antioch

The body of a man who disappeared in Lake Marie near Antioch was recovered in the water late Saturday, authorities said.

Oscar Sanchez, 25, of Elgin, likely drowned, Lake County Coroner Artis Yancey said Sunday. An autopsy will be conducted Monday.

Sanchez had jumped into the lake from a boat about 6 p.m. Saturday, Lake County sheriff’s police said. He struggled in the water, however. Relatives in the boat threw Sanchez a life vest, but he couldn’t grab it and went under, sheriff’s Lt. Christopher Thompson said.

A sheriff’s marine unit heard the relatives screaming for help, went to investigate and called for more assistance. Divers from several area fire departments searched the water but couldn’t immediately find Sanchez.

Crews using sonar later located his body about 10 p.m., Thompson said.

The boat was on the far east side of Lake Marie, in about 25 feet of water when Sanchez went under, Thompson said. Authorities estimated the boat was about 1,000 feet from shore.

Alcohol didn’t appear to be a factor, Thompson added.