The search for Trevor Boehm, the Communication freshman who was reported missing a week ago, may end this week after medical examiners identify a body found in Lake Michigan on Sunday morning.
The body, described as that of a white male in his 20s, was discovered about seven miles south of Northwestern near Montrose Harbor in the 4500 block of Chicago’s North Simonds Drive, police said. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s office, which is expected to identify the body sometime today, pronounced the man dead at 8:45 a.m. Sunday.
Boehm’s parents, who were visiting from their home in Monument, Colo., for Family Weekend, first reported him missing Nov. 9 when they were unable to find their son after arriving on campus, said Al Cubbage, vice president of university affairs.
University Police began its investigation immediately following the report, and the school notified students two days later. During the investigation, police discovered that Boehm had not used his WildCARD or Marlock key since Nov. 5, when he was last seen returning to his single room on the fourth floor of South Mid-Quads Hall.
Throughout the investigation, Cubbage has said that there is no indication of foul play.
On Thursday morning, police discovered Boehm’s jacket, wallet, keys and cell phone between rocks on the Lakefill, prompting a search of Lake Michigan by the U.S. Coast Guard. The search included aerial searches by helicopter and an underwater search by boat, Coast Guard Officer Brendt Wollert said.
The body, which officials said could be Boehm’s, was recovered Sunday morning when Chicago police responded to a call reporting a corpse in the water.
After graduating from a school for the performing arts in Colorado Springs, Colo., Boehm began his career at NU in fall 2007, living on the fifth floor of Willard Residential College and majoring in theater. According to Cubbage and the Office of the Registrar, he completed his first term last year before leaving NU sometime during Winter Quarter. At the time, he was a freshman board representative for the Purple Crayon Players, an on-campus theater group.
A vigil in Boehm’s honor will be held at 8 p.m. tonight in the Alice Millar Chapel and Religious Center, 1870 Sheridan Road.