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16-Year-Old Found Dead in Fox River in Elgin, Officials Say

Autopsy is complete and toxicology samples were sent to a national lab as investigators work to determine cause and manner of death.

Overview

  • Authorities recovered the body of a missing 16-year-old from the Fox River north of the Kimball Street Bridge after a weekend search.
  • The Kane County Coroner identified the decedent as Destiny Neal of Elgin and issued condolences to her family.
  • Elgin police say Neal had been reported missing after she was last seen in the 1200 block of Abbot Drive around 7 p.m.
  • Investigators completed an autopsy and forwarded toxicology samples to a national forensic laboratory for extensive analysis, so the cause and manner of death remain under active investigation.
  • Local reporting places this case among at least 11 separate 2026 investigations involving bodies recovered from Chicago-area waterways, a pattern that could prompt reviews of river safety and search procedures.