Name: Daniel Sotelo
Age: 26 years old
Last seen: April 30, 2022
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Status: Found deceased on May 22, 2022
Case Information
26-year-old Daniel Sotelo was last seen in Chicago, Illinois on April 30, 2022. He disappeared after taking a CTA train at the Roosevelt Red Line stop.
Background
Daniel Sotelo was a student at University of Illinois Chicago with a major in Organic Chemistry. He was in a romantic relationship with 22 year old Natally Brookson, a fellow student at University of Illinois.
At the time of his disappearance, Sotelo lived in the Pilsen neighborhood in the Lower West Side of Chicago, Illinois.
Sotelo was just days away from graduating with a master’s degree in Organic Chemistry. Upon graduation, he was planning to continue working at an organic farm in Naperville, Illinois.
Disappearance
On April 30, 2022, Sotelo was dropped off by his roommate at the Roosevelt Red Line stop, a Chicago Transit Authority L train station near Roosevelt Road and State Street.
Sotelo said he was heading up north, but didn’t specify where he was going. Daniel Sotelo never returned home and hasn’t been seen or heard from since.
A few days later his family filed a missing person’s report with the Chicago Police Department when they couldn’t reach him.
On May 8, 2022, his graduation ceremony took place at University of Illinois Chicago but Daniel never showed up.
Investigation
Daniel Sotelo disappeared on the same day as his girlfriend, Natally Brookson, a fellow student at University of Illinois Chicago of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
On April 30, 2022, Brookson went missing after leaving her place of work at Friedman Place, a housing community for blind adults in the 5500 block of North Maplewood Avenue, where she worked as a dietary aide.
At the time of her disappearance, Brookson was a senior studying psychology, but had withdrawn from the spring semester.
Daniel is known to visit the area of the 6100 block of North Winthrop Avenue.
Missing UIC Student’s Girlfriend Found Dead
On May 2, 2022, 22 year old Natally Brookson was found dead in Lake Michigan near the 5500 block of North Sheridan Road in Chicago, Illinois.
The official cause and manner of her death are yet to be determined.
According to Sotelo’s family, Daniel’s wallet and cell phone were found next to Natally’s body.
Daniel Sotelo Found Deceased
On May 28, 2022, Daniel Sotelo’s family announced in the Find Daniel Sotelo facebook page that he had been found deceased.
It is with heavy hearts that we share that Daniel has been found and is no longer with us. My family and I were blessed to have had Danny for the short time that we did. He was an absolute light for us all. His kindness was reflected in his eyes, and his generosity was conveyed in the way he took care of others. His smile had the ability to warm the heart of anyone that came across it. We are fortunate to have witnessed it as many times as we did.
According to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, Daniel’s body was found one mile offshore of Wilmette in Lake Michigan on May 22, 2022.
The cause of death has yet to be determined by the medical examiner’s office, which is awaiting toxicology results.
Whereabouts
Police found no evidence, means or motive for foul play in Daniel Sotelo’s disappearance. The case is currently ongoing and active.
On May 22, 2022, Daniel Sotelo’s body was found one mile offshore of Wilmette in Lake Michigan.
Appearance
Hispanic male with brown hair and hazel eyes. Daniel is 5’8 tall and weighs 155 pounds.
Distinctive Physical Features:
No information available.
Clothing and accessories:
No description of what Daniel was wearing when he went missing is available.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Daniel Sotelo please contact the Chicago Police Department Area Three at (312) 744-8266.
Resources & Further Information
CPD Missing – Daniel Sotelo, 26 – Chicago Police Department
Funeral costs for Natally Brookson – Go Fund Me
Daniel Sotelo – Facebook
Find Daniel Sotelo – Facebook
News & Media Links
UIC student Daniel Sotelo, 26, last seen on CTA train at Roosevelt station – CBS News 05/22
Daniel Sotelo disappearance: Chicago grad student missing, girlfriend found dead – FOX32 Chicago 05/22
Missing UIC student Natally Brookson found dead; boyfriend still missing – CBS News 05/22
UIC Grad Student Remains Missing After Girlfriend Found Dead – CBS 05/22
Videos & Flyers
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