19-Year-Old Student Found Dead In Car In UIC Parking Lot
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A 19-year-old student was found dead in a vehicle in a University of Illinois at Chicago parking lot on Saturday.
UIC officials said the woman was an undergraduate student who had been reported missing by her family.
The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office has identified the woman as Ruth George, from Berwyn.
Law enforcement are calling this a death investigation. That can mean a number of things -- ranging from a health issue to potential foul play.
The university is not ruling anything out at this time, but reminding students to be careful and aware of their surroundings.
George was found unresponsive just after 11 a.m. in the parking lot in the 700 block of West Taylor Street, the Chicago Fire Department said.
She was pronounced dead on the scene, according to CFD.
Police are working with city, state and federal agencies on the death investigation.
"It is very difficult to find words that can express the sadness our entire community experiences today following the news of the tragic death of a 19-year-old undergraduate student," said UIC Chancellor Michael Amiridis in a written statement. "We offer our sincere condolences to the student's family and friends and I know that all of us have them in our hearts as they struggle with this devastating loss."
Amiridis reminded students to be aware of their surroundings, walk in groups and look out for each other.
There is no official cause of death as of Saturday night. The investigation into how the student died is ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to call 312-996-2830.
