Northwestern Professor Found Alive After Extensive 24-Hour Search

Professor Nina Kraus, a 72-year-old neurobiology and otolaryngology expert at Northwestern University, was reported missing on Labor Day after leaving her Evanston home for a morning walk without her cellphone. Authorities, including the Evanston Police Department and Northwestern University Police, launched an extensive search involving drones, K-9 units, and canvassing local parks and lakefront areas, where Kraus often spends time. Despite her disappearance raising significant concern across the Northwestern community, no foul play or signs of dementia have been found, and Kraus was later discovered alive hiding behind dense foliage in a neighbor's garden. Kraus is described as very fit, with long silver hair, and was last seen wearing a windbreaker and long pants. The university and police urged the community for assistance in locating her, highlighting her status as a beloved professor and researcher. Her son, Mikey Perkins, expressed deep concern during the search, emphasizing that leaving her phone behind was out of character.