Harsha Maddula: Body of missing Northwestern student found near Illinois harbor, authorities say

(CBS/AP) EVANSTON, Ill. - The body of missing Northwestern University student Harsha Maddula was found in a harbor yesterday near the school's suburban Chicago campus, CBS Chicago reports.

Pictures: Body of missing Northwestern student found

The 18-year-old sophomore was pulled from Wilmette Harbor on Lake Michigan late Thursday. Northwestern spokesman Alan Cubbage said Maddula's wallet was found on the body.

Maddula was last seen leaving a party after midnight Saturday. A relative said he went to the party with several friends and disappeared after they left for another party.

Shortly before he disappeared, Maddula sent a text message saying he was returning to his dorm room, but Northwestern officials said there was no sign of the student on the dorm's security cameras or keycard logs.

No one had seen him since and his disappearance prompted a series of searches by police and volunteers. Maddula's family flew in from Long Island, N.Y. on Monday to join the search for the pre-med engineering student, who was recently diagnosed with diabetes.

"Obviously, a tragedy like this is something that affects the entire campus, and we had hoped for a different ending," Cubbage said.

Maddula's grief-stricken family was seen late Thursday night leaving an Evanston Hospital. They were taken to the hospital as a precaution, because Maddula's mother reportedly fainted when police notified them that her son had died.

Maddula's aunt, Dr. Surekha Madulla, said the family is grateful for the outpouring of support and the large number of volunteers who came forward to help.

The Cook County Medical Examiner's office will now conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of Maddula's death. Investigators said there were no signs of foul play on his body.

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