Police say a body found in Wilmette Harbor Thursday night appears to be that of Harsha Maddula, a Northwestern University student who has been missing since Saturday.
University Police learned that a body had been found in the water in the harbor shortly before 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27, according to a press release from the university. Maddula’s wallet, containing his Northwestern ID card and his cell phone, were found on the body.
Wilmette Police investigators ruled that there were no signs of foul play, the release said. An autopsy is scheduled for Friday morning, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
“On behalf of Northwestern University, I extend our deepest sympathies to Harsha’s family and to his many friends at Northwestern. Our hearts and thoughts are with them,” University President Morton Schapiro said in the release.
Maddula was last seen around 12:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, leaving a party in the 2000 block of Ridge Avenue. When police traced his cell phone, they discovered that its last signal was transmitted near a tower in the area of Wilmette Harbor.
More than 20 local law enforcement agencies and fire departments assisted University Police in a search of the water and land near the harbor on Wednesday. Authorities called off the search on Thursday morning, but volunteer crews set out along with University Police at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Thursday.
A sophomore in the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science, Maddula grew up in New Hyde Park, NY, a suburb of Long Island.
Thursday would have been his first day of classes.
“As we start the new academic year, normally a time of joy and optimism, we do so this year with a heavy heart,” Schapiro said in the release.
that we won't have to lose anymore of our children this way.