The Tibetan Alliance of Chicago confirmed to Pioneer Press that a body found in a wooded area in late November by the Evanston and Skokie Police Departments was that of Tsering “Dolma” Wangyal.
Wangyal was reported missing by the Skokie Police Department in July. The 82-year-old Skokie resident and Tibetan immigrant was last seen at the Levy Senior Center in Evanston on July 15. Evanston Police said a citizen found the body in an area of vegetation near the 2300 block of Oakton Street on Nov. 30.
Representatives from both the Skokie and Evanston police departments do not believe foul play played a part in Wangyal’s death. An autopsy has yet to be conducted by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, according to Skokie Police Chief Jesse Barnes.
Tseten Dorjee, the president of the Tibetan Alliance of Chicago, confirmed to Pioneer Press that the human remains found by the police were positively identified as Wangyal. Dorjee said the Tibetan Alliance of Chicago was notified of the confirmation directly from the Wangyal’s family.
“She was a deeply loved and respected member of the Tibetan community in the region, and her disappearance had left a significant void,” Dorjee said.
“We are heartbroken by the news, but we take comfort in knowing that Dolma was surrounded by love from the community she cherished,” he said.
Wangyal’s family members did not respond to request for comment.
The Skokie Police Department led the search for Wangyal when she was reported missing, and the department did search the areas of the Levy Senior Center and James Park. Barnes said the department used canines in its search.
Barnes said it was possible that the citizen found the body because of the wintertime decrease in foliage and vegetation. The Skokie Police Department, along with assistance from the Evanston Police Department, conducted previous searches during the summer and fall months, when there were more leaves, branches and plants in the area where Wangyal was found.
In September, the Tibetan Alliance of Chicago and the Wangyal family held a prayer vigil in honor of Wangyal, who was considered a missing person at that time. The purpose was to refuel efforts for her search, Wangyal’s daughter said.
A week prior to the September prayer vigil, Skokie Police found the body of 45-year-old Chicago resident Roland Gross in the North Shore Channel, near the 8600 block of McCormick Boulevard. Wangyal’s daughter said the vigil was done to also encourage the community to continue its search for her mother.
The Tibetan Alliance of Chicago held a dinner and a prayer vigil in honor of Wangyal at its cultural center in Evanston.
