Toxicology Reports Confirm That Pravin M. Varughese Was Neither Intoxicated Nor Under The Influence Of Drugs On The Night Of His Death

Carbondale, Illinois– As previously reported, the untimely and suspicious death of Pravin M. Varughese prompted his parents, Mathew and Lovely Varughese, as well as the community at large, to seek answers. Although the recent findings of the toxicology report have confirmed the family’s steadfast belief that Pravin was neither intoxicated nor under the influence of drugs on the night of his death, the family has found little solace, as unanswered questions abound surrounding Pravin’s untimely death.

Despite having their unwavering belief confirmed that Pravin was not under the influence of drugs or intoxicated on the night of his untimely passing, the Varughese family is now taking further steps to obtain answers to the most troubling questions of what happened to Pravin, and why.

Abraham & Sweeney, LLP, as legal representatives of the Varughese family, has been authorized to share the findings of the toxicology reports and provide details to the steps the family intends to take to obtain further answers.

TOXICOLOGY FINDINGS

The Jackson County Coroner’s office conducted an autopsy and toxicology examination of Pravin’s body. Although the report has not been formally disclosed, the Coroner indicated in a telephone conversation that Pravin’s blood was negative for drugs or alcohol. This finding was corroborated by an independent autopsy and toxicology examination performed on the Varughese family’s behalf by Dr. Ben Margolis, who similarly concluded that Pravin’s blood and vitreous fluid were negative for drugs or alcohol. These findings confirm the Varughese family’s belief that Pravin was not intoxicated or under the influence of drugs on the night of his death. But, unfortunately, it fails to answer any of the family’s questions.

THE PRIOR EFFORTS TO OBTAIN ANSWERS

As legal counsel, Jimmy Vachachira, a Partner at Abraham & Sweeney, LLP, has made informational requests to the various Carbondale Departments and/or Offices involved in the investigation of Pravin’s death, including using the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. The City of Carbondale, however, continues to withhold information, citing the “Pending law Enforcement Proceedings” exception to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.

What little information the family has been able to glean has not permitted them to put the pieces together. “It is frustrating being kept in the dark due to the pending investigation,” Mr. Vachachira said, “but the family’s goal and the goal of the Carbondale police is one and the same: to determine what happened to Pravin. We believe we may have insight to offer if only we had a fuller picture. If the

toxicology tells us anything, it is that Pravin’s death is not as easily explainable as the authorities originally assumed.” This, in part, is what prompted the Varughese family to conduct its own private investigation, which is currently ongoing.

THE ADDITIONAL STEPS

Mathew and Lovely Varughese have retained local counsel, Charles Stegmeyer, in the hopes that he will use his ties to the pertinent Carbondale Departments, and perhaps will be able to further assist the family in the fact-finding process. “If anything,” Mr. Vachachira noted, “local counsel who is intimately familiar with the workings of the Carbondale Police Department may be able to help fast-track the investigation. We will still continue to pursue answers with vigor. We just hope to get the answers that the family deserves.”

If the public would like to find ways to support the family, please visit www.justiceforpravin.org.

Mr. Vachachira can be reached for questions or comments at (312) 869-0018 or jvacha@abrahamsweeney.com