Harsha Maddula’s parents have left Evanston but will continue seeking answers about their son’s death from their home in New York, a family spokeswoman told The Daily this afternoon.

Family friend Padma Sonti said Prasad and Dhanalakshmi Maddula flew home this morning, just over a week after Harsha was last seen leaving an off-campus party. The McCormick sophomore’s body was pulled out of Lake Michigan on Thursday evening.

Harsha died as a result of drowning, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. Officials in the office have not said whether the drowning was an accident or not.

The Daily reported that Harsha’s parents arrived in Chicago on Monday evening, hours after the University sent out an emergency alert about their son’s disappearance.

At a news conference Friday, Harsha’s cousin Sushma Maddula said her family would not rest until a clear narrative emerged of what happened last weekend.

“Who was Harsha with last? Who did he speak to last? I still don’t know. All these questions need to be answered,” she asked. “And we really need the students to speak up. Something happened at this party.”

— Patrick Svitek