A Libertyville man, who was an Illinois State University student, was found dead by a creek near his university after being reported missing this week, police said.
The Normal Police Department said Matthew Listman, 21, of Libertyville, was reported missing on Friday.
Listman was last seen around 10:15 p.m. Thursday near Main Street and Orlando Avenue in Normal.
Police issued an alert seeking the public’s help in locating the man, who was a senior studying business administration at Illinois State University.
An investigation was launched and investigators spoke with Listman’s family and friends.
They also gathered information, including cell phone data and video from local businesses, in an attempt to locate him, police said.
Police officers located a body around 10 p.m. Friday near a creek in the area of the 900 block of North Main Street in Normal.
Additional officers and the Normal Fire Department responded along with the McLean County Coroner’s Office.
The victim was pronounced dead at 11:14 p.m. and positively identified as Listman.
The cause of death is being investigated by the McLean County Coroner’s Office but police said it does not appear to be criminal in nature.
A preliminary autopsy indicates that Listman died of drowning in the setting of cold exposure. Toxicology results are pending.
“Our most sincere condolences go to Matthew’s family, friends, and classmates during this very difficult time. Losing anyone is painful, but that pain is especially acute when we lose someone who is just starting their journey in life,” ISU President Terri Goss Kinzy said in a statement.
“Matthew’s passing is a shocking loss to our tightknit College of Business community, and he will be greatly missed,” Kinzy said.
The Normal Police Department said they will continue to work in collaboration with the McLean County Coroner’s Office on the investigation.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact the Normal Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 309-454-9593 or email cso@npd.org.