Curated By: Aditi Ray Chowdhury
News18.com
Last Updated: January 25, 2024, 18:42 IST
Chicago, United States of America (USA)
According to a statement issued by the institute, preliminary information suggested that there was no foul play involved and the death is initially believed to be accidental. (Photo: Representative/PTI)
An 18-year-old student from the University of Illinois was found dead on campus after being reported missing by his friends on Saturday.
The deceased, identified as Akul Dhawan, was found at West Nevada Street on Saturday morning and the University police is currently investigating the case.
According to a statement issued by the institute, preliminary information suggested that there was no foul play involved and the death is initially believed to be accidental.
As per the Champaign County Coroner Stephen Thuney’s Office, a preliminary autopsy showed signs of hypothermia and no major injuries were observed, Times of India reported.
When the temperature was 1° Fahrenheit, the deceased’s roommate had reported him to be missing. At 1:23 a.m. on Saturday, the student’s friend called and said that he had not seen the student for about an hour and could not reach him via telephone.
At 11:08 a.m., police and emergency medical services were dispatched after an University employee found the student on the back porch of a building. He was deceased at the time he was found, the statement said.
On the other hand, Dhawan’s parents are demanding answers from the university on his son’s demise.
In a conversation with TOI, the deceased student’s father said, “Akul’s friends who lost touch with him worried he would freeze to death since he was not wearing a coat. He called the police from the venue where they were and waited half an hour for the police to arrive. Nobody came to help look for him at his last known location. He was found dead, less than half a block away from where he was last seen.”
He further said, “We are heartbroken by the event and requested the vice chancellor’s office about their search and rescue procedures and if they were followed in Akul’s case. The Vice-chancellor told us to file a complaint with the police. When we asked police they sent us a form to fill out but no formal complaint forms.”
The Police has also requested individuals with relevant details to contact UIPD at 217-333-1216 or Champaign County Crime Stoppers at 217-373-8477.
