Sunil Tripathi
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A body pulled from the water Tuesday at India Point Park has been identified as that of Sunil Tripathi, a Brown University student last seen March 15.
A forensic dental examination confirmed the identification, said Dara Chadwick, a spokeswoman for the state Health Department. No signs of trauma were initially found, according to the police. Cause of death is pending further studies, which could take several months, Chadwick said.
The 22-year-old Bryn Mawr, Pa., native was on leave from the Ivy League school but living in an apartment near campus with several other Brown students.
"As we carry indescribable grief, we also feel incredible gratitude," the Tripathi family said Thursday morning in a comment posted on the Facebook page they created to help in the search. "To each one of you -- from our hometown to many distant lands -- we extend our thanks for the words of encouragement, for your thoughts, for your hands, for your prayers, and for the love you have so generously shared.
"Your compassionate spirit is felt by Sunil and by all of us.
"This last month has changed our lives forever, and we hope it will change yours too. Take care of one another. Be gentle, be compassionate. Be open to letting someone in when it is you who is faltering. Lend your hand. We need it. The world needs it."
-- The original version of this report was published at 10:19 a.m.