Jackson County State’s Attorney Michael Carr requested Monday that a special prosecutor review his findings in the death of Pravin Varughese.

“[My request for a Special Prosecutor] is being made in an effort to avoid even the appearance that my decisions have been made unfairly or improperly,” Carr’s request said.

Varughese, an SIU student, was reported missing in February 2014 and found dead five days later in a wooded area in the 1400 block of East Main Street near Buffalo Wild Wings.

The first autopsy stated Pravin’s body had abrasions consistent with being found in a wooded area and the cause of death was environmental hypothermia. The death certificate stated the manner of death was accidental.

After seeing his bruised body, the funeral director suggested the family obtain an additional autopsy. It found the underlying cause of death to be blunt force trauma.

The family filed a civil lawsuit, alleging Gaege Bethune—the person believed to be the last one to see Varughese—was responsible for his death.

Carr announced last week that a grand jury chose not to indict Bethune for the death of Varughese.

Lovely Varughese, Pravin’s mother, said she did not know a grand jury met, and that Carr left out key evidence available to him—including the second autopsy report and witness testimony of what transpired the night of his disappearance.

In a Friday press release, Carr said that the family’s statements made to the media have changed several times.

Carr and Lovely Varughese have repeatedly challenged the legitimacy of each other’s statements.

On Monday, Pravin’s family and attorney were—for the first time—granted access to the first autopsy report and original toxicology results commissioned by investigators, which reported no drugs or alcohol in his body when he died.

Both toxicology reports—which have been obtained by the Daily Egyptian—state Pravin did not have drugs or alcohol in his system at the time of his death, except caffeine. 

Carr’s Wednesday press release said Pravin was reported to have consumed at least two Four Loko malt beverages, two shots of Admiral Nelson’s rum and two beers.

“Reports indicate that multiple witnesses described Varughese as intoxicated or highly intoxicated,” the press release stated.

She said she has proof the details about her son’s death have been covered up.

In Carr’s request he said he noticed an intense media campaign promoted by the family to prosecute Bethune.

“I do not agree with [Lovely’s] conclusion and do not agree that I have done anything which prevented me from impartially reviewing the investigation,” Carr’s statement said. “I am nonetheless requesting the appointment of a special prosecutor to review the investigation. The grand jury matters and my findings.”

Carr’s request for a special prosecutor is not required by law, according to his release.                                                                          

The State’s Appellate Prosecutor, who addresses appeals, will be handling Carr’s special request. 

Carr also requested a special prosecutor two years ago in the case of the 2012 death of Molly Young. Carr cited a national media campaign shifting from the investigation to challenging his impartiality as a reason for the decision in each case.  

This story will be updated as more information becomes available. 

Sam Beard can be reached at [email protected]