body of missing northwestern student found in harbor

Terrible news. The body of missing Northwestern University student Harsha Maddula has reportedly been found in Wilmette Harbor: Authorities: Body found in harbor missing Northwestern student.

Maddula has been missing for six days, last seen at an off-campus party early Saturday morning. His body was discovered in the harbor between two boats, and his wallet, identification and cell phone were found in his pants pocket.

His disappearance launched a massive search involving a team of 21 law enforcement agencies and fire departments from three counties, as well as student volunteers. But the search has ended in tragedy:

About 6:30 p.m. tonight, a Wilmette resident who did not want to be identified told the Tribune he saw people aboard two small boats pull something out of the waters of the Wilmette Harbor and place it on a stretcher.

Then about 8:10 p.m. a group of people who were wearing life vests carried the stretcher around the side of a U.S. Coast Guard building at the harbor and place it into a Wilmette Fire Department fire ambulance, which left the scene.

A little later, a police officer wearing rubber gloves carried two brown evidence bags, one of which appeared to be wet, and placed them into a squad car.

Here's a statement from university President Morton Schapiro:

September 27, 2012

Dear Members of the Northwestern Community:

I am saddened to report that the body of a Northwestern undergraduate student, Harsha Maddula, who has been missing since last Saturday, has been found in Wilmette Harbor.

Harsha was a sophomore in the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science from New Hyde Park, New York.

On behalf of Northwestern University, I extend our deepest sympathies to Harsha's family and to his many friends at Northwestern. Our thoughts are with them. The loss of one member of the Northwestern community deeply affects us all, and as we start the new academic year, normally a time of joy and optimism, we do so this year with a heavy heart.

I also would like to thank Northwestern University Police and all the other law enforcement agencies and fire departments that were involved in the search for Harsha during the past few days. Their work, along with that of our Student Affairs staff, and the tremendous show of support from our students demonstrates clearly the compassion and commitment of the Northwestern family.

I know that this tragic loss will affect many of us. I urge you to contact Counseling and Psychological Services or the Chaplain's Office if you feel the need to do so.

Again, we offer our profound sympathy to Harsha's family and his fellow students. We join them in mourning the loss of a member of our community.

Morton Schapiro
President and Professor

It's an awful, terrible resolution to the situation, one that raises more questions than answers at this point. No word yet on the condition of the body or the possible circumstances of Harsha's death.

As a fellow Wildcat, this tragic news hits home. My deepest condolences to Harsha Maddula's family and the greater Northwestern community. More here: Cubbage: Harsha Maddula's body has been found in Lake Michigan.