Police have been searching for Shafia Murad, who was last seen on Thursday, May 28
Credit: Aurora Illinois Police Department
NEED TO KNOW
- Police in Illinois found a body in a pond on June 1, four days after Shafia Murad was reported missing in the city ofAurora
- Surveillance footage showed Murad exiting a bus and walking near North Farnsworth Avenue before disappearing on May 28
- An autopsy is scheduled to confirm the identity and determine the cause of death of the individual found in the pond as the investigation continues
Police in Illinois have discovered a body in a pond while searching for a missing woman.
The Aurora Police Department (APD) said in a social media post that investigators found a deceased individual on the evening of Monday, June 1, four days after they began searching for 32-year-old Shafia Murad, who was reported missing on Thursday, May 28, having last been seen that same day.
Murad was seen boarding a Pace bus at the Chicago Premium Outlets at approximately 1:29 p.m. on May 28, police said in a missing person post. She later exited the bus near N. Farnsworth Avenue and Corporate Boulevard at approximately 1:53 p.m. and was observed walking northbound, according to police.
Officers said that they initially searched the outlet mall and surrounding areas after she was reported missing. Detectives then determined that she had traveled to the area of North Farnsworth Avenue and Corporate Boulevard after reviewing surveillance footage and additional leads.
Credit: Aurora Illinois Police Department
During their search of the area on June 1 at approximately 7:35 p.m., police said they “observed an object in a retention pond” near Corporate Boulevard, east of the Chicago area.
“APD Drone operators responded and assisted with a further search of the area and confirmed the presence of a deceased individual,” police said in a statement.
Police said that the body has not yet been positively identified, and the circumstances surrounding the death remain under investigation.
An autopsy on the body is scheduled for Wednesday, June 3, at the Kane County Coroner's Office. The coroner will determine whether the official identification and the cause and manner of death.
PEOPLE has reached out to the Kane County Coroner's Office for an update.
APD said their investigation into Murad's disappearance remains active and ongoing.
Credit: Aurora Illinois Police Department
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In their missing person post, the APD described Murad as 5 feet tall, approximately 105 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a light green jacket, blue jeans, brown shoes and her hair appeared “disheveled.”
"She doesn't have food, she doesn't have her wallet, she doesn't have her ID, no location, we don't know where she is and I just want to know where she is because it has been a living nightmare," Shafia's sister, Sofia Murad, told local media outlet WLS.
Anyone with information regarding Shafia's whereabouts is asked to contact Aurora Police Investigations at 630-256-5500 or email tips@aurora.il.us.
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