From the State’s Attorney:
GRAND JURY RETURNS FIRST DEGREE MURDER INDICTMENT IN FOX RIVER FATAL BOATING CRASH
McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi L. Freese announces that on August 20, 2026, a McHenry County Grand Jury returned a bill of indictment against Richard Stevenson, 45, of Lisle, Illinois, charging Stevenson with First Degree Murder relating to the July 25, 2026, fatal boating collision on the Fox River.
The bill of indictment contains four additional charges of Aggravated Driving Under the Influence, and four additional charges of Operating a Watercraft Under the Influence, all of which are class 2 felonies.
These new charges follow an extensive and continuing investigation by the State Conservation Police with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
Based upon a comprehensive review of the totality of the evidence, the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office determined that the presentation of the First Degree Murder charge to the grand jury was required. The grand jury returned a true bill of indictment on all charges presented.
Stevenson remains detained in the McHenry County Jail pending trial.
Members of the public are reminded that a criminal complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Anyone with additional information may contact the State Conservation Police with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources by submitting an online tip at dnr2.illinois.gov/
