JACKSON/SALINE COs.—The revelation that a Saline County boy was reported to be among the last persons to see Southern Illinois University-Carbondale student Pravin Varughese alive has had little impact on the investigation into the case.
In May, journalists at the Carbondale Times newspaper in that town learned the identity of the driver of the car 19-year-old Varughese, from northern Illinois, jumped from in the vicinity of Buffalo Wild Wings and Kohl’s Department Store on Carbondale’s east side on the evening of February 12, 2014.
That person was Gaege Bethune, 19, a native of Eldorado.
Official story not accepted by family
Attempts by Disclosure to contact Gaege Bethune, at left, formerly of Eldorado and the last person known to have seen Pravin Varughese alive, have been unsuccessful.
Varughese’s body was found almost a week later in a wooded area near a creek behind the two businesses. Authorities reported that he died of hypothermia; they also reported that it was their belief that his death was that of just another college student who did a little too much partying and wandered off into the woods for reasons unknown, succumbing to the bitterly cold temperatures.
Varughese’s family wouldn’t accept that as an answer, and had their own autopsy and now, investigation, conducted with the assistance of powerful attorney Charles Stegmeyer. Their autopsy, in contradiction to that of Jackson County coroner Tom Kupferer’s, indicated that Varughese was not under the influence of any intoxicating substances; and further, showed that the student had been beaten.
According to documents obtained by the Times, it appears Bethune, whose father is well-known in Saline County for his position at Jim Hayes auto dealership in Muddy, was telling contradictory stories of what happened on the night of Feb. 12, depending on who he was talking to.
Bethune advised an unnamed Illinois State Police trooper on the very night of the incident that he was driving his pickup on Illinois 13 east of Giant City road when he “observed a black male walking eastbound on 13.” Bethune claimed he asked the man if he needed a ride and the man said yes; then when the man got in the truck, for whatever reason, Bethune showed him his wallet which contained cash, and stated “I can take you anywhere, however, I need some money for gas.” Bethune then claimed the man punched him in the face, jumped out, and headed into the woods.
That incident was reported, and the trooper claimed to have scanned the woods, but, seeing no one, sent Bethune on his way.
‘Maybe’ Gaege came forward…?
After a missing persons report was filed with regard to Varughese, Bethune did not come forward…until Varughese’s body was found on Feb. 18.
In what only appears to have been communication with “the driver of the vehicle at the scene of the incident” (and not naming Bethune), Carbondale police chief Jody O’Guinn then stated that Varughese had “apparently met the driver at a party earlier in the evening and had accepted a ride from him.” It remains unclear whether Bethune was questioned by Carbondale police, but the inference is there. O’Guinn took the extra step and stated publicly that police didn’t suspect foul play in Varughese’s death…but the measures the family has taken to do their own forensic examination of the body and the incidents surrounding Pravin’s death seem to contradict that claim.
To further exacerbate the situation, members of SUIC’s public relations have, according to the Varughese family, attempted to stifle their public comments over the issue, especially when it comes to who bears responsibility for what appears to have been a very screwed-up situation.
That it took months for Bethune’s name to emerge supports that premise.
Wrongful death suits may be the only way
Carbondale’s mishandling of another unsolved death in the area, that of Molly Young in 2012, has lead to a Wrongful Death lawsuit being filed Tuesday, July 1, in Jackson County civil court by her father, Larry Young. In possession of all the investigative documents of his daughter’s death because not long after it occurred March 24 of that year, ISP, considering the case closed, forwarded it all to him, Young’s civil claim appears to be the only recourse available to him to seek justice…despite the fact that ISP investigators later reopened the case, after January 31, 2013 coroner’s jury ruled that Molly’s death was NOT suicide, as authorities contended.
In the search for justice Varughese’s family has embarked upon, it may very well be that their next step would be to seek the same remedy Larry Young has. Whether it will involve Bethune in some capacity is unknown.
Recent reports indicate that Bethune, who has no criminal conduct in his history, has moved out of the area. Attempts made by Disclosure to contact him through various social media networks over the beginning of the month of July have been unsuccessful.