Body of missing Souvik Pal formally identified (From Messenger Newspapers)

Body of missing Souvik Pal, found in Old Trafford canal yesterday, formally identified

10:31am Wednesday 23rd January 2013 in News By Kate Banks, Reporter

THE body of missing international student, Souvik Pal, has been found in Bridgewater Canal.

Specialist officers made the discovery in a stretch of the canal close to Old Trafford Football Stadium at 2pm on January 22. The body was formally identified later that night.

A post mortem was also carried out, which found the cause of the 18-year-old’s death to be inconclusive.

Further toxicology tests will be carried out to establish the cause of death, but a police spokesman said there are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances.

The Manchester Metropolitan University student, who came to Manchester from India in September, was reported missing by a flatmate at around 5.30am on January 1.

Souvik and six friends had attended a New Year’s Eve event at the Warehouse Project, which is located close to the football stadium, on Trafford Wharf Road.

But he product design student had not been seen since he was asked to leave the night club at around 11pm — it is thought this was due to a misunderstanding when he was asking door staff where the toilets were.

Det Ch Insp Colin Larkin said: “Our thoughts and condolences are with Souvik’s family at this devastating time and our officers are doing all they can to support them.

“We do not believe there are any suspicious circumstances surrounding Souvik’s death and a file will be submitted to the Coroner in due course.”

Souvik’s father, Sanatanu Pal, has been in Manchester meeting Souvik’s friends and making appeals to find his son for the past fortnight.

Souvik’s friends and flatmates also launched a Twitter campaign and distributed leaflets in an effort to find him.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 4223 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.