CARBONDALE, IL (KTVI) – There are new questions surrounding the February death of an SIU-Carbondale student. The body of Pravin Varughese was found by Carbondale Police in a wooded area. Police held a news conference the next day and announced no foul play was suspected.
Police said a man came forward and told investigators he dropped off Varughese in a wooded area. Investigators determined Varughese had been in a fight. They suspected cold temperatures and rough terrain contributed to the criminal justice student’s death.
Family members doubted the explanation. They said Pravin was a cross country runner and would have been able to run out of the wooded area.
Now family members say they have new information that raises even more questions. They say authorities have shared with them the results of toxicology tests. They say those tests reveal no sign of alcohol or drugs.
“I just believe there is more to the story,” said Priya Varughese, Pravin’s sister. She is a Saint Louis University Student. Priya hopes anyone interested in finding answers will sign an online petition at www.justiceforpravin.org
“No one is at peace right now,” said Varughese. “It’s just sleepless nights.”
A spokesperson for the Carbondale Police department declined to comment on the case, but did say there was an ongoing investigation. The Jackson County Coroner also declined comment, but confirmed the results of toxicology tests are now known.
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