A body was pulled from the water two days ago off India Point Park in Providence.

There were suspicions that it was that of Sunil Tripathi, the Brown University student missing since March. During the manhunt for the Boston Marathon Bombers, there were rumors that one of them might be Tripathi, based on a resemblance and alleged police scanner chatter. The rumors were wrong, as we now know.

The Rhode Island Medical Examiner has confirmed that the body was Tripathi, via ProJo:

A body pulled from the water Tuesday at India Point Park has been identified as that of Sunil Tripathi, a Brown University student last seen March 15. A forensic dental examination confirmed the identification, said Dara Chadwick, a spokeswoman for the state Health Department. Cause of death is pending further studies, which could take several months, Chadwick said. The Bryn Mawr, Pa., native was on leave from the Ivy League school but living in an apartment near campus with several other Brown students.

The family issued the following statement this morning accompanied by the photo below:

On April 23, our beloved Sunil was discovered in the waters off India Point Park in Providence, Rhode Island. As we carry indescribable grief, we also feel incredible gratitude. To each one of you-from our hometown to many distant lands-we extend our thanks for the words of encouragement, for your thoughts, for your hands, for your prayers, and for the love you have so generously shared. Your compassionate spirit is felt by Sunil and by all of us. This last month has changed our lives forever, and we hope it will change yours too. Take care of one another. Be gentle, be compassionate. Be open to letting someone in when it is you who is faltering. Lend your hand. We need it. The world needs it. With love,

The Tripathi Family



