Pravin Varughese was found dead in Carbondale back in 2014. Gaege Bethune was convicted of his murder.
Pravin Varughese was a promising young teenager and a student at Southern Illinois University. In 2014, he was found dead in the woods near the university town of Carbondale. Gaege Bethune, with whom Pravin was seen before his death, was convicted with first degree murder. However last year in September, the judge overthrew the verdict in the case and Bethune was released from jail and remains out on bond.
The verdict received loud surprise from all quarters and it wouldn’t be wrong to say that it was Lovely Varughese, Pravin’s mom, who has been fighting the case, who was hit the hardest. Lovely Varughese talking to the American Bazaar says, “Well, currently we are back where we were in 2015 with the case. The prosecutor is preparing the case all over again. The first time it took 3 years for the prosecutors to put up the case together. We do not know what happens tomorrow, but yes today I have more peace than I ever did. And that is because I know who killed my son. For me Gaege Bethune standing in the witness box and admitting that he hit Pravin on the ride side of his head, exactly the place where we saw the dent on Pravin’s body was a closure. I always knew that my son did not die on his own. If he had the slightest strength he would not have been in the woods, he would have walked out. He was injured and could not survive the hurt.”
RELATED: For Pravin Varughese’s mom, closure finally comes with the charging of son’s suspected killer, Gaege Bethune (July 22, 2017)
Lovely adds, “But I wanted the world to know that my son was not a drug-dealer, he was not drunk. He died because he was hit. I did not want Gaege to be put behind bars for his life. But yes, I wanted him to know that there are consequences to your actions and I want the law to hold him accountable.”
On displaying a rare magnanimity when she says she doesn’t want to see the convict behind bars for life, Lovely says, “I have to think here how Pravin would have thought. I am sure if my son was here he would have told Gaege, ‘Buddy learn from your mistake and move on.’ I want to say the same to him. Admit that you made a mistake and carry on with your life.”
51 Comments
Lovely Varughese is a good mother and a good human being. Honourable.
White privilege at its finest. I’m from Illinois and I promise you, this is racism 101 and a good ‘ol boy coverup. The white pride lawyer is just as racist as the DA, the sheriff and the ISP. This family has more class than anyone in that racist town. I only wish I could be there when Gaege (names don’t get much whiter than that) and his tribe of racist family members and friends get the karma they so deserve. They are all crooked racists and still covering this HATE CRIME MURDER up.
My prayers and deepest condolences to the Varguese family and friends.
This is an outrage. Gaege buttface is as guilty as they come. This is white privilege at its finest. He showed no remorse and has moved on with his life and knows he’s a cold blooded killer! God has the last word and his will shall be done. RIP Praven
I:wondering why he wasn’t arrested or drinking a driving, he said in the interview he was drinking and didn’t want a dui…hy dit the cop arrest him then. ?? Weird
This gage baboon or bafoon or what ever this murderer is called should be locked up he looks Racist and is racist and that’s the reason he killed the Indian brother. You tried doing the right thing by going through the justice system But it’s not worked and everyone knows why. Now it’s time to do the next thing
Good Luck
I saw this story today on Dateline. I hope they keep showing it over and over until justice prevails. Something stinks in this town for Gage to get away with this. I hope karma takes something from the Bethune family just as Gage did to Pravin. I will be praying for
Lovely V and family. Justice for Pravin!
You end up in a different United States of America than you were at the beginning of this program. A much sadder, nearly hopeless country where honesty has no value, and the price for a life is held in little regard. Man, makes a poor God. Are you now ready to trust in the One true God? Jesus is God who came to teach us God’s ways, folks.
American Justice System stinks, corrupt to the core, always playing politics, racism, class status….from the police to the Judges
This bothers me to no end. He was found guilty. Then the judge threw out the verdict. This is an all out cover-up. He is a murderer. I hope they will retry the case
The Carbondale Justice Department and the police had their arms twisted on this matter .
I am so sorry about this, it’s horrible! I didn’t catch any info in the video, but who’s kid is this Bethune dude! Probably the local sheriff or something. I see they had a super high dollar Jewish lawyer. I only include his nationality because it’s fairly clear that the Indian family was not only discriminated against but just flatly cheated! I still believe in the USA but there’s not always the justice that our nation implies that we have. Like everyone else said I believe karma will have the final say in this sad matter!
“Jewish” lawyer – what a piece of shit bigot you are – what does that have anything to do with this tragedy?
I also am sickened by this. By “people of law” supposedly protecting and serving ??!! And u can see this family is not asking for any $Money, like so many of others. They just want justice. This dipshit Gauge? Shame on his parents and friends and him. You will face your guilt some point in life. This life. My love and prayers to Privin’s family.
Not about money??? Are you actually that ignorant? The family took a monetary settlement from Gaege. please, for humanity’s sake, do at least 2 minutes of research before opening your naïve mouth again!
Judge was paid. I don’t understand how this didn’t attract attention. I have no insight on this case other than watching on ID. My first reaction after they said he was R Kelly’s lawyer I knew that scumbag paid someone off. Sickening. Feel terrible for him and his family.
I just watched the crime watch daily episode of this, it caught my attention bc I worked in carbondale for 6 months, beautiful place….but the prosecutor is going for the wrong charges, yes they found him guilty once, yes the judge was paid off, Stevie wonder can see that….but a manslaughter case would be a slam dunk, or should be…I don’t believe that kid meant to kill him but he did….and I wanna know who that kids parents are, where they work who they know….it’s so beyond obvious it’s a cover up from top to bottom…..if dude would’ve said yeah me and this kid got into a fight he’s laying over in the woods, dude might be alive today…..that cop should be fired wtf was he doing, besides nothing….if he would’ve took his lazy ass over into the woods he would’ve seen that kid laying there, possibly knocked unconscious not dead but just needed medical attention…I don’t think it’s white privilege I just think it’s green privilege (money)….they said the lawyer received 90% of the $100,000 bond…..I’m sorry, who had $90,000 laying around if you are not very very very wealthy…anywho….dude was responsible for the kids death whether he meant to or not he 100% did..
This is miscarriage of justice, Gaege must be prosecuted, he killed pravin!
Man this is racial. The first autopsy said there was no foul play involved. Then Mrs. Varughese hired an independent autopsy and they said it was foul play involved. This is the fox watching over the henhouse. This is happening to to the Varughese family because of they ain’t white. Man if they were white they would be putting Bethune away. I’ve seen preferential treatment before in favor of whites. Once I saw a white lady hit a pedestrian with her car and no charges filed. Then the same hit and run of a pedestrian done by a Hispanic girl, she got charges put on her. Same thing with the jails, rich white people go home on bond and get probation or case dismissed, same charges for a black or Hispanic sends them to county jail or state jail time. Lawyers make extremely good money because they are the ones implementing the laws.
Why isn’t Gaege being charged with manslaughter? If we believe they did fight and Pravin did run into the woods then why isn’t it manslaughter? Gaege is clearly responsible for Pravin’s death but didn’t necessarily intend it. God bless Pravin’s mother, who doesn’t seek vengeance, just wants her son’s killer to be held accountable for his actions. I am with her. Praying for justice for Pravin and his family.
Hearing this story tonight totally changed the way I think about the justice system. Corruption runs deep in Carbondale and I usually always back the police but state marshals or the FBI need to step in to this town and let justice be served.
This is utterly and completely outrageous. This case MUST be tried again NOW!!!! This case will go down in history as one of the most blatant examples of not just a cold blooded murderer walking free, but of a supposed “justice system” filled with pay offs, cover ups,
and people that do not give a DAMN about humanity!!!!! This town’s Entire “justice dept .”needs to be thoroughly investigated. I call on any & all podcasters, investigative journalists, computer detectives to take this case under your wings! We can not sit by. This is wrong! What is it that has this judge in the pocket of this defendant? What is really going on here? What is going on with these police? Why are they covering things up to aide this murderer?
Is it all money? Connections? Dig up these connections. Expose it to the light! We need answers in this case. This case is not going away. The truth must be uncovered here. It’s blatant injustice & we can’t stand by & do nothing.
I can’t believe this young man is walking free this is corruption it goes to show if you know someone and have money you walk away this mother needs to keep fighting God give her all the strength she needs to fight them all and in till this monster of a kid pays for what he did !!! My Heart Breaks For This Mother !!
He will kill again if he is not made to face consequences. This man thinks he is above the law and this case proved it.
I totally agree. This mother has suffered enough losing her son, then to have him tarnished by some clown saying you don’t know your son or what he was up to. My goodness he had 0 drugs/alcohol in him, he wanted to work in law enforcement, the very thing that’s doing nothing to help this family. They need to get their head out of this “privileged ” familys butt.
The conviction was thrown out over the word “knowingly”???? Isn’t that what first degree murder is???
I can’t believe this, Gage keeps LYING, he admits to hitting Pravin and he can clearly be placed at the crime scene
Just why are the police and court doing this. Nobody deserves this doesn’t matter where they are from. This case truly angers me
I can’t believe this
Gage was clearly seen carrying someones, body, he keeps LYING, he admits to hitting Pravin and he can clearly be placed at the crime scene
Just why are the police doing and court doing this. Nobody deserves, doesn’t matter where they are from. This case truly angers me
The name and the surname of the judge who set the murderer free, as well as the coroner who wrote that the victim died of hypothermia should be public. So should be the fact whether they have children of their own and would help their child’s murderer walk away if it were them.
Absolutely that is one if the crookedness if the American system really sometimes its just used for racism point blank! Let’s see how Gaege enjoys his life happily ever after with the cold blood of his mate on his hands.
Unbelievable, that judge basically has blood on his hands.
To the Varughese family keep fighting for justice, if you have a go fund me page I’m sure a lot of people will contribute so you can continue with whatever further investigations needed to bring charges again.
God bless
He admitted they rolled around and fought? Then he dies right in that area where they scuffled and Gage says nothing about that area or fight for more than a couple days? Pravin’s toxicology came back negative and Gage said he took him home because he was drunk? This shit stinks like compost in the high noon sun! Hope the next trail brings justice, not life but 10-15 would be appropriate at least.
This is all hogwash! Two men were in a truck together and one ends up dead in the woods with clear evidence of having been physically struck. The person who struck him left him in the woods and lied to the police about it which resulted in the death of the man who was struck. Whether he died from physical injuries or from hypothermia from having been left in the woods, there is reasonable evidence that the man who struck him and left him there is guilty of his death. The verdict of guilty was correct. The judge vacated the conviction was wrong. It should be regardless of the race and ethnic city of each of the men, class and income, and political connections.
This is why we have to believe in a just God or we’d go mad at the injustice. A judge who lets a convicted murderer go free because the wording wasn’t perfect (and sounds like convictions have survived similar wording) will have to answer for this and
All bad (if not corrupt/evil) judgements.
Thank you for your post. There is a God who will judge the judges of this world. Gaege will not escape God’s pending judgment either. Our hopes are in God here.
Why should anyone believe that a god who lets a good kid die alone in the woods would have any notion of justice? It’s a nice thought to think all who deserve it will get their comeuppance, but there’s just too much proof of the opposite. There’s no magic sky wizard parsing out consequences for those who evaded them in life. Sometimes life is unfair and the bad guy wins.
There is a God… A just God. And He is not a wizard in the sky. He is the ruler of heaven and earth. Make no mistake, everyone will get their judgment, you and I included.
The killer of that young boy, the police officers that covered up the crime, the person that did the first autopsy, the judge and everyone involved in covering up the crime will definitely get their judgment, here on earth or after. Justice for Pravin.
Unfortunately you are right. And bad guys are all people; lawyers, judges, state attorneys, state troopers, and of course just people. Sickening. I hope to god that all of this helps a little for Ms. Lovely. Their family sounds like they have such great values. God Bless. And for the monster who did this, u will end up in HELL. And we r ok with that.
I am truly sickened by this case! Here is a fine example of “white privilege” and “it’s not what you know but more of who you know” mixed in with “family/money ties”. How a higher court has NOT stepped in and done something is beyond me.
Keep fighting Lovely. Never give up! One day Gaege will take responsibility for his actions and serve the time he needs to. Praying it happens sooner rather than later.
To the local officials who stalk the comment sections of the news articles : shame on you! God sees all and just because you have been paid off or you believe this case has been swept under doesn’t mean God didn’t see or know. You will face your judgement, whether it be here on earth or in hell , you will face your creator on all your wrongs! May you have a DESERVING life, meaning you’ll deserve all the bad that comes to you! Shame on you for sweeping a innocent child’s death under the rug to appease a local prominent family! Gaege knows what he did and his lawyer can keep his lies because the world knows the absolute truth!
God sees all!
Lady, you don’t even know all the facts of the case as the prosecutors and lawyers do, so stop judging people based on what you see on T.V, in which they are paid millions of dollars to sway your opinion and get you vested in their programs. Yes, this was a tragedy but you think you are in a situation to slander other people’s names based on a T.V program? And this “white privilege” is bull crap. Go look at all the cases of white people who are in her same boat. The only reason people notice is because she’s Indian. But just because she didn’t get justice yet doesn’t mean Gaege has, or anyone else has for that matter,”white privilege”.
I can’t believe that animal is set free. It’s only a matter of time before that murdering SOB kills again.
UNBELIEVABLE!! HOW IS IT POSSIBLE THAT GAGE IS NOT IN PRISON?! WHAT A MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE!
This kind of corruption needs some FBI investigation.
1. He had statements that contradicted what he had said (blatently lying, so he clearly lied)
2. The Autopsy is evidence enough and that was clearly falsified to cover up the truth. Lucky the mother was a nurse and had one of her own conducted. Clearly understood her son was assaulted, given the nature of his injuries her medical knowledge came in handy.
3. Police lied about the drugs and background of the victim to discredit him and portray a false image. Again to cover it all up. A history of drug dealing was never found in phone records except for that night.
4. The drug dealer (Gaege Bafoon) was the perportrator and used his phone to contact someone notifying them he had the drugs. He needed a phone so killed for one.
5. Police covered up for a drug dealer murderer and so did the judge and jury. Its quiet possible that Gaege Bafoon had links to corrupt Police and they had selected a corrupt Jury to deliver the verdict.
This case is bigger than it seems. FBI need to investigate this. My guess is that town is being used for mafia style drug operations. FBI need to seize all phone records of police and crooks or monitor their movements. Clearly connecrions between corrupt Law Enforcement and dealers.
Unbelievable what u say. Shame on you.
Just watched the story on crime investigation and i can’t believe it’s still in this day and age a person could be set free blatantly.
It’s so sad, hope Justice will be served.
I’ve been following this case for several years on Dateline NBC. They’ve done a good job covering both families in this death investigation and I just couldn’t believe that after the jury if 12 people agreed that Gauge murdered Pravin that this judge could throw out their verdict! It’s just ridiculous! The kid (Gauge) lied to the police several times! I didn’t buy the new lawyers argument that by the prosecution bringing robbery charges against Gauge that it screwed up the damn murder verdict and all! The jury got that right for Heaven’s sake! They saw through that charge. I just cannot believe that that judge had the audacity to throw out the conviction!
This kind of corruption needs some FBI investigation.
1. He had statements that contradicted what he had said (blatently lying, so he clearly lied)
2. The Autopsy is evidence enough and that was clearly falsified to cover up the truth. Lucky the mother was a nurse and had one of her own conducted. Clearly understood her son was assaulted, given the nature of his injuries her medical knowledge came in handy.
3. Police lied about the drugs and background of the victim to discredit him and portray a false image. Again to cover it all up. A history of drug dealing was never found in phone records except for that night.
4. The drug dealer (Gaege Bafoon) was the perportrator and used his phone to contact someone notifying them he had the drugs. He needed a phone so killed for one.
5. Police covered up for a drug dealer murderer and so did the judge and jury. Its quiet possible that Gaege Bafoon had links to corrupt Police and they had selected a corrupt Jury to deliver the verdict.
This case is bigger than it seems. FBI need to investigate this. My guess is that town is being used for mafia style drug production and istribution operations. If drug dealers have that kind of influence over law enforcement, that they can walk away with murder – that clearly proves it. FBI need to seize all phone records of police and crooks or monitor their movements. Clearly connections between corrupt Law Enforcement and dealers.
Me too. That kid should not be allowed to walk. I think that Judge was paid off. The kid admits he hit him. This is the most unfair action I’ve ever heard of. Something stinks in that town & I think it’s the way that judge is running his court.
I, too, am in disbelief that Gaege walks free! That brut caused that poor kids death. Why didn’t the judge, at least, charge Gaege with manslaughter?
Our justice system is a joke. The first atopsy was A COVER UP!
I would look into the entire police force and judges involved!
I just heard about this case and this is infuriating…I kept looking for an update regarding a trial to finally put this dude in jail and nothing. So sad. I feel awful for Pravin’s family. This is awful and I hope they finally get justice. Unbelievable.
Me too. I think that judge was paid off. This should be brought to a higher court. This kid should serve time. If not he may do it again.
I am beyond disgusted that Gage is out of jail!!!
His actions caused beloved Pravin to run for his safety….for his life.
I am more than sure that due to Pravin receiving a beating from Gage that he grew weak, and, very very sadly and tragically, Pravin passed away. But make no mistake that Pravin HAD to run and MUST of ran because his life was in danger!!!
Look at the size of Gage verses the size of Pravin. Of course he overpowered Pravin.
This case needs to be reopened. It must be.
What has gone on here is inhumane!!! How anyone on the jury, or who worked on this case….can let Gage go is beyond me!! How they can put their hands on the pillow and sleep well at any time of the day is beyond me!!
Pravin did not deserve this at all. Pravin’s parents, and, sisters do not deserve for this man, who took the life of their beloved son/brother…..to be free.
I am heartbroken for the Varguese Family.
My thoughts, prayers, love and friendship are with The Varguese Family.