Indian American student's body found in US harbour

Chicago, Sep 29, 2012: The death of an Indian American student whose body was found in Wilmette harbour near the Northwestern University's suburban Chicago campus has been ruled as a result of an accidental drowning.

However, the Cook County medical examiner's office had no additional information about the circumstances surrounding student Harsha Maddula's death, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Maddula's family made a statement Friday morning that they do not believe their son killed himself or that his disappearance was related to a rare form of diabetes that he had, CBS News reported

"There is no reason to believe that Harsha was suicidal or that this had anything to do with his diabetic condition," family spokesperson and friend Padma Sonti was quoted as saying.

Maddula's cousin Sushma Maddula too dismissed suicide as a possibility, saying the aspiring doctor had been so eager to return to Northwestern that he came a week ahead of time so he could help freshmen move in, according to Chicago Tribune.

Maddula, vanished early Sep 22 after attending an off-campus party in Evanston, Illinois.

After a search that included 21 law enforcement agencies and fire departments, hundreds of Northwestern students and the FBI, his body was found in the harbour Thursday between two boats near the Sheridan Road Bridge.

There was no sign of foul play, authorities said. His wallet, identification and cellphone were still in his pants pockets.

Northwestern University President Morton Schapiro also issued a statement, extending the school's "deepest sympathies" to Maddula's family.

"The loss of one member of the Northwestern community deeply affects us all," Schapiro said.....IANS/NRIpress