Body of man found in river by Old Edgebrook identified; accidental drowning suspected

The body of a 28-year-old Oriole Park man who had been reported missing for several days was found floating in the North Branch of the Chicago River near the Old Edgebrook neighborhood at about 11 a.m. Thursday, July 2, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.

A landscaper working in the area found the body, which had snagged on a log, according to Chicago police. The body was found near McClellan Avenue in the secluded 55-home subdivision, which is adjacent to the Edgebrook Golf Course.

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the death an accidental drowning and identified the victim as Matthew Kratochvil of the 5300 block of North Olcott Avenue.

A relative reported Kratochvil missing on Monday, June 29, two days after he reportedly was involved in a car accident in the 6200 block of West Devon Avenue, about a block from the river, according to Chicago police.

Based on witness accounts, it is suspected that Kratochvil was the driver who abandoned his car and left on foot, police said. Three vehicles were involved in the accident, and no one was reported injured, police said.