Chicago woman was daughter of Indian American doctors from Gujarat.
The Indian American community in Schaumburg, a northwest suburb in Chicago is in shock over the news of a young woman from the community found dead in the trunk of her own car.
Sureel Dabawala, a 34 year-old, young MBA from Loyola University in Chicago was reported missing by her family when she failed to return home on Dec 30.
After many days of frenetic search, she was found wrapped in a blanket in the trunk of her own Lexus car Monday in Chicago’s West Garfield Park neighborhood by private investigators hired by the family.
No arrests have been made in the case so far as the autopsy report is still awaited.
Sureel was the daughter of Schaumburg based Dr Asharaf Dabawala, a respected physician in the area, hailing from the Gujarat state in India.
He and his wife, Dr. Mehta, live and work in the Schaumburg area and are long time Illinois residents.
Indians living in the area describe the Dabawalas as the most loving and generous people. Sureel has a sister named Isheeta Dabawala.
In the days following Sureel’s disappearance, the Dabawala family had announced a $10,000 reward for anyone who could provide any information about the young woman.
Friends and family were devastated by the rude discovery of Sureel’s death.
The cause of Sureel’s death still remains unknown, police said Wednesday as investigations and toxicology reports which would help authorities determine the cause may take up to a month.
According to her Twitter profile Sureel Dabawala was the President and CEO of Sterling Medical Equipment.
She is remembered as a sweet, lively girl by many who went to junior high with her.
As the family awaits answers to Sureel’s untimely death, the Indian American community is also reeling under the fear about women’s safety.