BREAKING: Cubbage: Harsha Maddula's body has been found in Lake Michigan
September 27, 2012
The body of missing Northwestern student Harsha Maddula has been found in Wilmette Harbor.
In a news conference Thursday night, University spokesman Al Cubbage said University Police was notified around 7 p.m. that a body was found in Lake Michigan along with Maddula's WildCARD and cell phone.
Maddula was pronounced dead at 10:45 p.m., according to the Cook County medical examiner's office. The report does not list any indication of trauma, but that information could be included in an autopsy later. Wilmette Police investigators have not yet determined the cause of death.
Cubbage also said there were no signs of foul play on the body.
In a statement, University President Morton Schapiro said he "extends (his) deepest sympathies" to Maddula's family and friends.
"The loss of one member of the Northwestern community equally affects us all," Schapiro said.
Cubbage told reporters that Maddula's body was found between some boats in Wilmette near the Sheridan Road Bridge.
"Why the body was found today and not yesterday during the extensive search that occurred? I don't know the answer," Cubbage said, referring to an all-hands-on-deck search that 21 law enforcement agencies and fire departments were involved in Wednesday.
Cubbage said cell phone signals examined by investigators are "consistent with someone walking" from the off-campus party at which Muddala was last seen to the area surrounding Wilmette Harbor.
Associated Student Government released a statement through vice president Brad Stewart that called Maddula a "cherished member" of the NU community.
"It is during moments like these that the true strength of our Northwestern family shows," the statement said. "We are stronger than we ever could be apart. We are one Northwestern."
Michele Corriston contributed reporting.
This story is being updated throughout the evening as new information becomes available.
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"The loss of one member of the Northwestern community equally affects us all," Schapiro said.
Yeah right. The university didn't even help the parents until they escalated the issue and changed their tone.
The university has hundreds of millions of dollars in endowments. And yet, his parents had to shell out a paltry $25,000 out of their pocket? Why hasn't the university done much?
What is this togetherness that is spoken of? Just cause the guy paid his tuition, only then was he considered inclusive of "the NU family"?
The recent acts have proven that NU is comparable to an extortionist hospital.
The parents had to lose their throat muscles to move the university to do something in the first place, god knows how long NU might have taken if an outsider had a problem similar to this on their campus.
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John C Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 2:13 am
I completely agree. The statement the university released is horse sh*t. Where was the concern and action from the University President before the family had to fly out and apply pressure? It's just damage control. Regardless, RIP Harsha. Things don't make sense in this world and someone bright and young like him shouldn't pass away like this. It breaks my heart. God Bless him and his family.
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Absolutely not true. The university acted promptly and escalated to the appropriate authorities, but they can't go calling the police the minute someone hasn't been heard from for a few hours, else they'd be deluged every time some kid turned his cell phone off Ns went for a bike ride or went downtown. I recognize the Maddulas were highly stressed -I would be, too - but the university did act responsibly.
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John C Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 2:16 am
It wasn't a few hours though...He was missing since Saturday and only after their parents flew out, did the university administration respond accordingly. Regardless, he does have a point. Private universities have millions in endowment yet the University did nothing to aid. You can't honestly tell yourself that students go missing from NU often...because it's simply not true. You can't say "well, if NU guaranteed half a million for every student, that's impossible"....they responded well during these past few days but their initial response was poor and regrettable.
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