Family Offers $15,000 Reward for Missing SIU Student

Pravin M. Varughese, a 19-year-old Southern Illinois University student, is missing since Wednesday night.

Authorities said that Varughese, who is of Indian descent, was last seen Wednesday night near SIU's campus, Carbondale. The teen had an unshaven look and was wearing a red shirt, dark blue jeans and purple shoes.

Priya Varughese said that her brother, one of their cousin and a roommate went to a party that night in the 600 block of West College Street.

He posted tweets from his account at 11:06 and 11:17 p.m. respectively Wednesday night that read, "99% of the time I have no idea whats (sic) going on,"....."Bloody knuckles , guess I was in a fight #backdown." Priya said that her brother might have punctured a wall or a window may have collapsed on his hand.

She also said that Pravin called his friend in Chicago at 12:30 p.m. He said that her brother sounded like he may have been running or having an argument during the call.

Pravin from Morton Grov lives in an off-campus apartment with two guys. Carbondale Police Department said Varughese is white, 5-foot-7, 150 pounds, and has short brown hair with brown eyes and dark skin tone. His chest tattoo reads 'Fear God.'

He was reported missing the following day when he failed to return to his apartment.

"He's very social. He's just very easy to talk to. He's very easy at lighting up a conversation, and very funny," Priya said. "You wouldn't be bored around him," abc reports.

The family of the sophomore is offering a $15,000 reward to anyone with information about their son's location. They have also created a Facebook page, Missing: Pravin Varughese.

"If people have anything to say ... come forward," Priya said. "We just really want him back home and safe," Chicago Tribune reports.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Carbondale Police Department, (618) 457-3200, or Southern Illinois University Department of Public Safety, (618) 453-5369. Another reward of up to $1,000 may be given for information provided anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at (618) 549-COPS (2677).