Chicago Police discovered the deceased body of a missing Northwestern University doctoral student in Lake Michigan on Tuesday evening.
Peter Salvino, 25, went missing after a party in the city’s Lincoln Park neighborhood over the weekend, leading to a widespread search led by the Chicago Police and Fire Departments, Fox 32 reported. A search party discovered the body in the lake at 5:40 p.m. near Diversey Harbor’s Dock O.
The Cook County medical examiner confirmed the body to be the Northwestern University student, the outlet reported.
After Salvino left the party, he reportedly Facetimed a friend at 11:59 p.m. and said he was walking back to his apartment, the outlet reported. The friend called back to make sure he returned home, but Salvino told him he was still heading to his residence at 12:15 a.m. His cell phone pinged a location near Diversey Harbor about 15 minutes later.
Urgent missing case in Chicago area: Peter Salvino. Salvino was supposed to meet his father for the Bears game Sunday, but family members have been unable to find him. He is a 25-year-old doctoral student at Northwestern. Contact CPD if you can help. (312) 744-8266 pic.twitter.com/9k4uUl45XL
— Marni Hughes (@MarniHughesTV) December 19, 2022
The friend called a third time at 12:37 a.m., but Salvino did not answer the phone, the outlet reported. Several friends called him between then and 9:30 a.m. without ever receiving a response. (RELATED: Authorities Find Body Of Student Who Went Missing After Lightning Strike Capsizes Boat)
The family expressed its grief in a Tuesday evening statement.
“We are both shattered and relieved to report that, earlier today, we found Peter during the marine search of Diversey Harbor. Throughout the last three days, we have been overwhelmed by the support and assistance we’ve received from friends, family, and local residents and businesses in our search for Peter. We are grateful beyond measure for their diligence, without which Peter may not have been found. At this time, our family appreciates the public affording us privacy as we process our grief over this devastating loss.”
No cause of death has currently been reported as the autopsy report is still pending.