Oregon, IL – A fossil hunter searching along the Rock River in Ogle County made a grim discovery on Tuesday. The individual reported finding human remains near the riverbank in the 4300 block of N. Illinois Route 2 in Oregon, Illinois. The discovery prompted a swift response from the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office, who secured the area for further investigation.
The next day, on Wednesday, a forensic team conducted a dental record review, identifying the remains as Carter McGowan, 23, from Rockford. McGowan had been reported missing since January of 2024, raising concerns among his family and the community.
The investigation into McGowan’s disappearance had stalled earlier this year, but the unexpected discovery along the Rock River has reignited the case. The Ogle County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the Oregon Fire District and the Ogle County Coroner’s Office, is continuing its investigation to determine the cause of death.
Authorities have not released further details about how long McGowan’s body had been at the location or any potential suspects. The community awaits more information as investigators work to piece together the circumstances surrounding McGowan’s death.
