Body found on campus identified as missing Northwestern researcher

Patrick Svitek, Reporter

A body found last month along the lakefront of campus has been identified as that of a missing Northwestern researcher, authorities said.

The body, which was discovered washed ashore on the Lakefill during Dillo Day, is that of Corey Janczak, 29, according to authorities. Janczak, who was a laboratory coordinator in molecular sciences, was reported missing May 19.

The Cook County medical examiner’s office has indicated Janczak died of drowning, according to police, who do not believe foul play was involved. On Thursday morning, his cause and manner of death were “pending further investigation,” the medical examiner’s office said.

Janczak was as an instrumentation specialist in the Keck Biophysics Facility in Cook Hall. Janczak, who grew up in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, graduated from Denison University in 2007 and began working for the lab in January 2011, according to an obituary on the Keck website.

“Corey was instrumental in helping implement new techniques in the laboratory and ensured that all projects ran smoothly,” the obituary says. “He had exceptional insight and curiosity, and was always open to new ideas and inspiration. He will be sorely missed and always remembered for his personality, his talent, his passion, and his commitment to helping others.”

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