COWDEN, IL – Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police report the body of Wallace O. Darcow, Jr., 35, of Effingham, was recovered from the Kaskaskia River near Cowden during a surface search of the river at approximately 8:00 p.m. on July 5, 2018.
Mr. Darcow was kayaking on the Kaskaskia River near the Illinois Rt. 128 bridge during the late afternoon on Sat., June 30. Witnesses reported seeing the kayak flip near a logjam, ejecting Mr. Darcow into the river.
Conservation Police Officers utilizing sonar equipment participated in the search throughout the week, and CPOs conducting a surface search by airboat recovered the victim on Thursday night.
Other agencies and individuals participating in the search this week included the Shelby County Sheriff’s Dept., Shelby County Dive Team, Cowden Fire Dept., Moultrie County Dive Team, Effingham County Dive Rescue Team, citizen volunteers including employees of CF Industries in Cowden, and the American Red Cross.
The investigation into the incident by IDNR Conservation Police continues.