Northwestern Mourns Death Of Grad Student Found In Diversey Harbor

EVANSTON, IL — The Northwestern University community is mourning the loss of 25-year-old graduate student Peter Salvino, whose body was found Tuesday in Diversey Harbor.

Salvino was a third-year interdepartmental neuroscience student and laboratory research assistant for Dr. Lucas Pinto, where he worked to understand how neural circuits across different areas of the brain support decision-making, according to the university. He will be remembered for his brilliance, kindness and humility, Pinto told the school.

“This is an incalculable loss,” Pinto said in a post on Northwestern’s website. “All of us who knew Peter know how effortlessly brilliant he was. But what we will truly miss is his endless kindness, humbleness and generosity with his time and intellect. And of course his understated dry humor.”

Salvino went missing early Sunday morning after leaving a party in Lincoln Park, Chicago police said. In a Facebook post, his father, Martin Salvino, said the family was “both shattered and relieved.”

“Throughout the last three days, we have been overwhelmed by the support and assistance we've received from friends, family, and local residents and businesses in our search for Peter,” Martin Salvino said on Facebook.

“We are grateful beyond measure for their diligence, without which Peter may not have been found. At this time, our family appreciates the public affording us privacy as we process our grief over this devastating loss.”

Northwestern is reminding students that a variety of resources are available, including 24/7 free virtual mental health support.