CARBONDALE, Ill., Feb. 18 (UPI) -- Police have found the body of missing Southern Illinois University student Pravin Varughese, 19, in a wooded area in Carbondale, Ill.
The criminal justice student went missing after a party last Wednesday. Police said he got a ride home from a "recent acquaintance," but after an apparent dispute, Varghese left the car and walked into a wooded area.
“The difficult terrain and low temperatures are believed to have contributed to Pravin’s difficulty finding his way out of the wooded area,” Carbondale police said in a statement.
Varughese's family had offered a $15,000 reward for any information regarding his whereabouts. They issued a statement Tuesday, via the "MISSING: Pravin Varughese" Facebook page, after his body was found.
On behalf of our Family, we wanted to thank you all for your kind words, endless support and prayers for Pravin. Authorities have confirmed this morning that they have found his body. We ask that you continue to keep Pravin's parents and sisters in your prayers as we go through this difficult time and mourn the loss of a beloved Son Brother, Grandson, Nephew, Cousin, & Friend.
Varghese's fraternity also issued a statement on Twitter:
"Today we lost a brother, a member, and a friend. R.I.P. Dev. You will always be family to us and forever in our hearts."
[My Fox Chicago, Chicago Tribune, CBS Chicago]
