Charred body of Northern Illinois Univ. student discovered on campus
DEKALB, Ill.-- Police and the DeKalb County Coroner have launched an investigation into the death of a 25-year-old Northern Illinois University student whose charred body was found on campus earlier this week, CBS Chicago reports.
Hasan Gill's uncle, Dr. Mohammed Arain, said his nephew was found dead in some bushes Tuesday morning, with burns covering his entire body.
The university has said police don't believe there was foul play and that the death was likely was a suicide; but Arain said the family believes Gill might have been set on fire to cover something up, including possibly being drugged.
Arain said a container with flammable liquid in it was found near the body.
"We are convinced that that body was dumped there, and this burn scenario is just a cover-up," he said.
According to the DeKalb County Coroner's office, an autopsy will follow further forensic testing.
NIU spokesman Brad Hoy confirmed the university's account that police believe it was a suicide, though he said a final determination has not yet been made. But Arain said the family believes Gill would not have taken his own life.
"The kid was very stable, and he was at my house on Sunday night for dinner; full of life, and very engaged, looking forward to the future," Arain said.
Gill was looking forward to graduating next spring with a degree in psychology, he said, calling his nephew a "very balanced kid" who "never showed any signs of depression, or any problems."