Missing SIU student found dead

The Southern Illinois University-Carbondale student who had been missing since last week was found dead Tuesday, according to The Daily Egyptian, the school’s student newspaper.

The body of 19-year old Pravin Varughese was discovered at 9:45 a.m. Tuesday in a wooded area in the 400 block of East Main St., south of Illinois Route 13 in Carbondale.

Police are not considering this a homicide investigation and do not suspect foul play.

Varughese, a sophomore criminal justice major, was last seen leaving a party at 606 W. College St., in Carbondale around 11 p.m. Wednesday. According to police, a “recent acquaintance” gave Pravin a ride from the party, but after a dispute, Varughese left the car and headed for the wooded area.

“The difficult terrain and low temperatures are believed to have contributed to Varughese’s difficulty finding his way out of the wooded area,” Carbondale police said in a press conference on Tuesday.

Varughese was wearing jeans and a T-shirt when he entered the woods, and while an exact cause of death is still pending, police said the cold may have been a factor.

A statement offered on behalf of Southern Illinois-Carbondale Chancellor Rita Cheng offered condolences to Varughese’s family, and urged grieving students to visit the counseling center on campus if needed.