Update at 1:06 p.m. — Cornell University has confirmed that missing student Aalaap Narasipura’s was found dead by police search teams Friday morning.
A source close to the investigation confirmed earlier Friday that Narasipura was found in or near a gorge near Ithaca Falls, located at the end of Willard Way.
Cornell University police, the Ithaca Fire Department and the New York State scuba dive team were all at the scene.
Narasipura was last seen early Wednesday morning by friends at Sage Hall, who later reported the student missing.
The following is an email sent to Cornell students this afternoon:
Dear Cornell students,
It is with profound sadness that I write with the news that law enforcement search teams have recovered Aalaap Narasipura’s body. No foul play is suspected, and a full investigation of the circumstances is underway.
A senior electrical engineering student in the College of Engineering, Aalaap was an ambitious student and was scheduled to graduate early this December. He was active on the Ultimate Frisbee team, enjoyed taking photos, and planned to continue at Cornell to pursue a Masters of Engineering degree.
As we all struggle to process Aalaap’s death, I encourage you to reach out to others for support and to make use of the resources listed at the bottom of this email. For community members wishing to come together during this difficult time there will be a community support meeting on Friday, May 19, at 4 p.m. in the One World Room, Anabel Taylor Hall.
On behalf of the Cornell University community, I extend our deepest condolences to Aalaap’s family and friends as they grieve this tragedy. They are in our thoughts as we all come to grips with the enormity of this loss.
Ryan Lombardi
Vice President for Student & Campus Life
— Earlier reporting
ITHACA, N.Y. — Ithaca police responded to a report of a dead body found in an Ithaca gorge on Friday morning near Willard Way.
The New York State Police scuba team and the Ithaca Fire Department were among those at the scene.
A source close to the investigation has confirmed that a deceased person was found in the gorge near the top of Ithaca Falls.
Officials have declined to provide details at this time.
However, a Cornell student has been missing since early Wednesday morning, and first responders have been seen searching the gorge areas for the student.
This is a developing story.
Featured image: The New York State Police scuba dive team responded to a report of a dead person in an Ithaca gorge, near the top of Ithaca Falls Friday morning. Photo by Jolene Almendarez/The Ithaca Voice