The family of a missing Southern Illinois University student from Morton Grove is offering a $15,000 reward for information that helps find him.
Pravin M. Varughese, 19, was last seen about 11 p.m. Wednesday in the 600 block of West College Street, according to a release from Carbondale police.
His sister, Priya Varughese, said he, his cousin and a roommate had all gone to a house party in that area that night.
His most recent post on Twitter, sent about 11:17 p.m. Wednesday night, reads, "Bloody knuckles . . . guess I was in a fight #backdown."
"I’m not really sure what it means," said his sister, adding that he called a friend later that night and sounded like he was running or arguing during the phone call.
Pravin Varughese, originally from Morton Grove, is a sophomore at SIU studying criminal justice, his sister said. He lives in an off-campus apartment with his cousin and another roommate.
“He’s very social. He’s just very easy to talk to. He’s very easy at lighting up a conversation, and very funny,” she said. “You wouldn’t be bored around him.”
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Relatives, friends and members of his church community have traveled to Carbondale to help search for him. They have also set up a Facebook page called “Missing: Pravin Varughese” to share updates.
A candlelight vigil to show support for his return is tentatively planned for 9 p.m. Monday at a field near Mae Smith Towers on the SIU campus, according to his sister and the Facebook page.
Police describe Varughese as a 5-foot-7, 150-pound white man with short brown hair, brown eyes, and a dark complexion. He was last seen unshaven, wearing the red shirt in the photo, dark blue jeans and purple shoes.
Police said he has a chest tattoo that reads “Fear God.”
The family is offering a reward of at least $5,000 for information leading to his recovery, police said.
Anyone with information should call Carbondale police at (618) 457-3200 or the Southern Illinois University Department of Public Safety. A reward up to $1,000 may be given for information provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers at (618) 549-2677.
- Facebook: MISSING: Pravin Varughese
