Mother of Pravin Varughese, SIU student found dead near campus, files lawsuit

CARBONDALE, Ill. (WLS) -- There is a call for the Justice Department to get involved in the mysterious death of a Southern Illinois University student.

The body of Pravin Varughese was found eight months ago in a wooded area near the campus in Carbondale.

Saturday Varughese's family met with Morton Grove officials.

Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky is calling on the justice department to investigate.

"I think taking it next to the federal level is absolutely appropriate and we'll be following upon that as well," she said.

The initial autopsy said the 19-year-old died from hypothermia with no evidence of foul play, but a second autopsy commissioned by the family found evidence that Varughese suffered blunt force trauma to the head.

Varughese's family sued the city of Carbondale, accusing officials of not conducting a thorough search for the body.

The police chief has since been fired.