Coroner Seeks Identity of Partial Remains Recovered From Fox River

WHO:

CBS News - McHenry County Coroner Dr. Michael Rein is involved in the investigation.

NBC 5 Chicago - Richard Stevenson, 45, of Lisle, is charged in connection with a boat crash.

NBC 5 Chicago - Magdalena Jablonska, 48, of Des Plaines, was killed in the boat crash.

WHAT:

CBS News - The Coroner's Office stated, "At this time, we have not yet been able to positively identify the remains that were found."

NBC 5 Chicago - Prosecutors revealed that Jablonska was decapitated in the crash and not all of her body had been recovered.

Patch - Deputy Chief Coroner Olivia Zednick indicated that authorities are hoping to use dental records to positively identify the remains.

CBS News - Partial human remains were discovered in the Fox River.

NBC 5 Chicago - A partial head was found in the Fox River.

NBC 5 Chicago - Richard Stevenson has been charged with reckless homicide and aggravated DUI.

NBC 5 Chicago - Prosecutors stated Stevenson's blood alcohol content was nearly three times the legal limit.

WHERE:

CBS News - The remains were found in the Fox River, McHenry County.

NBC 5 Chicago - The boat crash occurred on the Fox River near Riverside Drive, south of the McHenry Dam.

WHEN:

CBS News - The McHenry County Sheriff's Office notified the Coroner's Office around 9:20 p.m. on July 29, 2026.

NBC 5 Chicago - The boat crash happened on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at approximately 2:30 p.m.

NBC 5 Chicago - Richard Stevenson is due back in court on August 5, 2026.

WHY:

NBC 5 Chicago - The investigation into the remains follows a deadly boat crash that killed Jablonska and wounded her fiancé and dog.

HOW:

Patch - The McHenry County Coroner's Office was notified by the McHenry County Sheriff's Office at about 9:20 p.m. Wednesday after the discovery of the partial head.

CBS News - The Coroner's Office is working collaboratively with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the McHenry County Sheriff's Office, and the McHenry Township Fire Department to investigate the remains.

NBC 5 Chicago - Stevenson was driving a 31-foot pontoon that struck the rear of a 20-foot Crownline boat, leading to the crash.

(UPDATED July 31, 2026 01:34 UTC)

Authorities are currently working to identify remains found in a crash involving Jablonska, who prosecutors revealed was decapitated, with not all of her body recovered. The McHenry County Coroner's Office was notified about the discovery of a partial head on Wednesday evening, and Deputy Chief Coroner Olivia Zednick mentioned that they hope to use dental records for a positive identification. At this time, the Coroner's Office has not yet been able to confirm the identity of the remains.

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(UPDATED July 30, 2026 22:30 UTC)

In a tragic incident on the Fox River, 48-year-old Magdalena Jablonska was killed in a boat crash, and partial human remains, including a head, have since been discovered. Richard Stevenson, 45, of Lisle, has been charged with reckless homicide and aggravated DUI, with prosecutors revealing his blood alcohol content was nearly three times the legal limit at the time of the crash on July 25, 2026. The investigation is ongoing, with the McHenry County Coroner Dr. Michael Rein and various local agencies working together to uncover more details surrounding this devastating event.