Evanston Professor Vanishes During Labor Day Walk; Search Intensifies
On Monday, September 1, 2025, Northwestern University professor Nina Kraus, a revered academic figure in the field of auditory neuroscience, was reported missing after she went for a morning walk in Evanston, Illinois, on Labor Day. At 72 years of age, Kraus was last seen leaving her residence on the 1500 block of Ashland Avenue around 9 a.m. The Evanston Police Department has since launched a search, with the university also urging the public for assistance in locating the missing professor.
Kraus, who is described as approximately 5 feet 4 inches tall with long silver hair, was wearing a windbreaker, long pants, and a dark-colored backpack when she left her home. While the circumstances of her disappearance remain unclear, the police have stated that foul play is not suspected. A drone has been deployed by authorities to search the nearby lakefront, where the professor may have walked, though the search hasn’t yielded any results so far.
The National Center for Missing and Endangered Persons has also been involved in the case, issuing a missing adult alert to raise public awareness. The university has expressed its hope that the community can help in finding Kraus and ensuring her safety, while also providing updates as the search continues.
While the academic community and the broader Evanston area have expressed worry and concern, the case has generated significant public interest. Many colleagues and former students have shared their distress, highlighting her contributions as a brilliant professor and researcher. The search for Kraus continues with renewed efforts, as the authorities and university work together to locate her and ensure her safety.