CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. — An 18-year-old University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign student was found dead on campus Saturday morning.
Akul Dhawan was found around 11 a.m. Saturday. A university employee found Dhawan on the back porch of a building in the 1200 block of West Nevada Street. Police officers and Emergency Medical Services were sent to the scene, but he was dead.
The university issued a statement addressing the death. Investigators believe preliminary information suggests the death was accidental, and they suspect no foul play.
His roommate called the police to report him missing around 1:30 a.m. Saturday. The roommate told police they hadn't seen Dhawan for about an hour and couldn't reach him by phone.
Campus police searched the area where the student was last seen, the student's residence hall, and the likely path between those two locations. That search included the main quad on campus and several roadways.
The release from the university said officers also checked local hospitals. Police did not find the victim or any information to help them during their search.
The Dhawan's family has been notified.
An autopsy will be performed on Monday January 22,2024.
Champaign County Coroner's Office, the University of Illinois Police Department, and the Illinois State Police are investigating this death.
"Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the University of Illinois Police Department at 217-333-1216," the statement from the university said. "Witnesses may remain anonymous by contacting Champaign County Crime Stoppers at 217-373-TIPS."
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