Partial Human Head Recovered Near Fox River Boat Crash; Driver Charged with Homicide

Partial Human Head Recovered Near Fox River Boat Crash; Driver Charged with Homicide

According to Patch, authorities recovered a partial human head near the site of the fatal Fox River boat collision on July 30, and a coroner’s office began an investigation to determine whether the remains belong to the woman killed in the crash. The discovery was made on the riverbank in McHenry County, prompting officials to intensify the ongoing inquiry. CBS News reported that the collision occurred on July 23 when a high-speed pontoon operated by 45-year-old Richard Stevenson of Lisle struck another vessel, killing 48-year-old Magdalena Jablonska, a former Marine, and injuring three others.

Stevenson was arrested and charged with reckless homicide and aggravated DUI, and a McHenry County judge denied him bail. NBC 5 Chicago identified Jablonska as the victim killed in the incident.

Actors

Richard Stevenson Ben Brandano Bob Sexton Illinois Department of Natural Resources McHenry County Court

Locations

Lisle, Illinois, United States Fox River near McHenry County, Illinois, United States McHenry County, Illinois, United States Chicago, Illinois, United States Illinois, United States

Articles

July 30, 2026
2 total
Partial Human Remains Recovered Near Site of Fox River Boat Crash
Partial Human Remains Recovered Near Site of Fox River Boat Crash

Patch • 30 Jul 19:53

Authorities found a partial human head near the Fox River boat crash scene and are working to confirm whether it belongs to the woman killed in the collision.

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Partial human head recovered from Fox River in McHenry County, investigation ongoing
Partial human head recovered from Fox River in McHenry County, investigation ongoing

NBC 5 Chicago • 30 Jul 16:59

A partial human head was found in the Fox River on Wednesday night, prompting a coroner-led investigation and a statement that identification has not yet been possible.

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July 29, 2026
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Lisle man charged after fatal Fox River boat crash
Lisle man charged after fatal Fox River boat crash

NBC 5 Chicago • 29 Jul 17:29

Richard Stevenson of Lisle faces aggravated DUI and reckless homicide charges after his pontoon collided with another boat on the Fox River, killing 48-year-old Magdalena Jablonska.

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Marine veteran identified among victims of Fox River boat collision
Marine veteran identified among victims of Fox River boat collision

NBC 5 Chicago • 29 Jul 02:03

A 48-year-old former Marine who immigrated from Poland was killed when a drunk, speeding boater struck her vessel on the Fox River; the driver faces aggravated DUI and reckless homicide charges.

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July 28, 2026
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Illinois man charged with reckless homicide after fatal boat crash on Fox River
Illinois man charged with reckless homicide after fatal boat crash on Fox River

ABC7 Los Angeles • 28 Jul 16:08

Richard Stevenson, 45, has been detained on reckless homicide and aggravated DUI charges following a collision that killed a woman on the Fox River near McHenry, Illinois.

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Illinois man charged with reckless homicide after high-speed boat crash kills woman
Illinois man charged with reckless homicide after high-speed boat crash kills woman

New York Post • 28 Jul 11:30

A 45-year-old man is accused of crashing his pontoon boat at about 80 mph into a smaller vessel in a no-wake zone on the Fox River, killing a 48-year-old woman and injuring her husband. He remains in custody awaiting trial.

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July 27, 2026
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Judge Denies Bail for Boat Operator Charged with Reckless Homicide After Fatal Crash on Fox River
Judge Denies Bail for Boat Operator Charged with Reckless Homicide After Fatal Crash on Fox River

Lake and McHenry County Scanner • 27 Jul 20:39

A McHenry County judge ordered the detention of a 45-year-old executive accused of operating a boat at high speed while intoxicated, causing a collision that killed a woman on the Fox River.

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July 26, 2026
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Lisle man charged after fatal Fox River boat collision
Lisle man charged after fatal Fox River boat collision

CBS News • 26 Jul 23:14

A 45-year-old Lisle resident was arrested and charged with reckless homicide and aggravated DUI following a high-speed pontoon crash on the Fox River that killed a woman and left three others injured.

Credibility 72% Manip. 8% Center