Naperville Central Grad Strangled in UIC Parking Garage

Graduate Found Dead
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District 203 Graduate Found Dead

A 2018 Naperville Central High School graduate was found dead in the backseat of her car in a University of Illinois at Chicago parking lot on November 23.

Naperville Community Unit School District 203 said in a statement they “are saddened to hear of the untimely passing of former student Ruth George.  Our thoughts remain with her family and friends during this difficult time.”

During high school, George was a member of the Naperville Central gymnastics team. Her former coach, Christina Tardy, remembered her saying in a statement:

“Ruth was such a sweet girl and had the biggest and brightest smile. We loved having her as a member of the NCHS gymnastics team and she was so fun to watch compete, especially on the floor exercise. She was a great teammate and we are going to miss her dearly.”

What Happened

Officials say the 19-year-old entered the parking garage on the UIC campus at around 1:35 a.m. on November 23, with a man following closely behind her. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office said she was strangled and has ruled her death a homicide.

Police were able to find her by tracking her phone after her family reported her missing.

Man in Custody

Police now have a person of interest in custody. The man being questioned is not affiliated with the university.