A body found floating in the Kishwaukee River near Hopkins Park Sunday afternoon has been identified as James Verduin, a Wisconsin man who went missing in DeKalb in December 2008.

At about 2:45 p.m., the body was found by a couple walking their dog along the river behind the 200 block of Joanne Lane, according to DeKalb Police reports. The deceased person was found floating face up, wearing what appeared to be boxer shorts with no other clothing, according to reports. The body was discolored but visibly intact, according to the report.

The preliminary findings show that Verduin died of drowning, and dental records were used to identify his body because of the decomposition, said DeKalb Police Lt. Gary Spangler. Verduin had some emotional issues that concerned investigators from the start, which may be a contributing factor in his death, Spangler said.

“We don’t exactly know where he went into the river,” Spangler said. “It was certainly the middle of winter, and he had no legitimate reason for going in the river.”

No foul play is suspected at this time, he said.

Verduin, 56, of West Allis, Wis., was last seen by a clerk at the Best Western Inn & Suites, 1212 W. Lincoln Highway, where he was taken after being involved in a one-vehicle accident on Interstate 88 near DeKalb earlier that day. Verduin’s car was towed from the accident. On Dec. 27, a Best Western employee contacted Verduin’s family asking them to pick up belongings he had left behind.

Verduin never checked out of the room and left behind property including clothes and his cell phone. Investigators believe Verduin’s health issues could have caused him to wander from the hotel.

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