Death of woman found in river ruled suicide

Authorities have determined a 32-year-old Maine Township woman whose body was found Sunday in the Des Plaines River killed herself.

A Cook County Medical Examiner's autopsy determined Sangitagen Patel, who was reported missing in early January, died by drowning, according to a statement released by Cook County sheriff's police. After interviewing those who knew Patel, investigators said they determined her actions in the days before her disappearance suggested the potential for suicide.

Patel was last seen in the morning hours of Jan. 2 near her home in the area of Ballard and Dee roads in unincorporated Maine Township. She was dressed in her black Subway restaurant uniform pants and a purple jacket, and was seen walking toward the bus stop to go to work at the Palwaukee Plaza Subway in Wheeling.

Cook County Forest Preserve spokesman Steve Mayberry said Patel's body was found by a couple kayaking in the river Sunday afternoon in Prospect Heights about one-quarter of a mile south of Milwaukee Avenue near Allison Woods. The couple called 911 when they saw the body caught in river debris.

Cook County Forest Preserve Police pulled the body onto shore. Patel was dressed in a dark shirt, dark pants and gym shoes, but no coat. There were no apparent signs of foul play, Mayberry said.

Police initially identified Patel through her personal property, including jewelry, which were recovered at the scene. Her family positively identified her body Monday.