Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Indian-American student sexually assaulted, strangled to death

A 19-YEAR-old Indian-American student was sexually assaulted and then strangulated to death in Chicago, police said about a brutal murder that has shocked the community in the US.

Ruth George, originally hailing from Hyderabad and an honours student at the University of Illinois, was found dead in the back seat of a family-owned vehicle in a campus garage on Saturday (23).


The assailant, Donald Thurman, 26, was arrested Sunday (24) from a Chicago metro station. He is not associated with the university.

On Monday (25), he was formally charged with first-degree murder and aggravated sexual assault for killing George.

The medical examiner ruled George's death a homicide by strangulation.

According to the university, George was a sophomore and Kinesiology major.

The university said in a statement George's family reported to the University Police on Saturday that she had not been heard from since Friday (22) evening.

Her phone was “pinged” to the Halsted Street Parking Garage, and police and family members responded to find George unresponsive in the back seat of a vehicle owned by her family.

Police then requested assistance from the FBI Evidence Response Team to assist in the processing of the crime scene and to complete forensics on the vehicle.

According to the university, police retrieved video footage from existing university cameras of the offender who was seen walking behind George on Saturday.

She entered the garage on foot at approximately 01:35 am local time, followed by the offender. The offender is seen again on video footage at 02:10am local time walking on Halsted Street.

Police then reviewed video footage from the Chicago Transit Authority, the Chicago POD cameras, and its internal system to determine travel patterns for the offender.

Based on the observations, police detectives decided to watch the Blue line station during the hours that the offender had previously travelled on the Blue line.

Thurman, who has a criminal history, was arrested on Sunday near the Blue line train station at Halsted and Harrison streets. He was taken into custody and subsequently gave a full confession to this horrific crime.

University Chancellor Michael D Amiridis said in a statement: "All of us are devastated by the loss of Ruth George, a member of our Honours College and a talented kinesiology student with dreams and aspirations to become a health professional and help others. Our thoughts, our hearts, and our condolences are with her family and friends during this trying period.”

According to local ABC 7 news, yellow ribbons are hung around campus in memory of George, who was nicknamed "Baby Colour."

"The ribbon is, the colour is her favourite colour," Cynthia Martinez, UIC student, was quoted as saying. "They just asked if we could tie them somewhere on campus, in her memory."

Her former gymnastics team coach said in a statement to ABC7 that George was a "sweet girl" with the "brightest smile" who will be dearly missed.

(PTI)

More For You

Akshata Murty appointed trustee of Victoria and Albert Museum

Akshata Murty

Akshata Murty appointed trustee of Victoria and Albert Museum

FORMER prime minister Rishi Sunak’s wife, Akshata Murty, has been appointed as one of six new trustees to the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London.

In her new role, Murty will help in scrutinising and promoting the museum’s work, collaborating alongside current V&A chairman Tristram Hunt, it was announced last Friday (21).

Keep ReadingShow less
US officials arrive in India for key trade talks ahead of tariff deadline

Narendra Modi and Donald Trump

US officials arrive in India for key trade talks ahead of tariff deadline

US OFFICIALS arrived in India on Tuesday (25) to hammer out a trade deal just days before president Donald Trump’s tit-for-tat tariffs begin across the globe, including against the world’s most populous nation.

Assistant US trade representative Brendan Lynch will lead meetings with Indian officials as part of ongoing bilateral trade talks.

Keep ReadingShow less
Lower Thames Crossing

The project, described by National Highways as 'the most significant road project in a generation,' includes two 2.6-mile tunnels under the Thames.

Largest UK road tunnel gets government approval

THE UK government has approved an £8.3 billion plan to build the country’s largest-ever road tunnel.

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander granted development consent to National Highways for the 14.5-mile Lower Thames Crossing between Kent and Essex, the Planning Inspectorate confirmed on Tuesday.

Keep ReadingShow less
Dense fog warning

The visibility in certain areas may drop to less than 100 metres

Getty Images

Dense fog warning issued across parts of Britain, commuters urged to take caution

Commuters in parts of Britain are being warned to prepare for travel delays this morning due to dense fog affecting roads and transport networks. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning, cautioning drivers and passengers in several regions to expect challenging conditions.

The warning applies to eastern and western England, including the East Midlands, the East of England, the North East, the North West, and Yorkshire and Humber. The fog, which is expected to be particularly thick in some areas, could lead to reduced visibility and cause travel disruptions throughout the morning.

Keep ReadingShow less
Inflation

Consumer prices increased by 2.8 per cent in annual terms in February, down from 3.0 per cent in January, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Getty

Inflation drops to 2.8 per cent in February

UK INFLATION slowed more than expected in February, offering temporary relief to consumers ahead of a likely rise in prices.

The decline also comes just before chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to deliver her budget update speech on Wednesday.

Keep ReadingShow less