Northwestern University missing professor found alive in Evanston

A Northwestern University professor, Nina Kraus, who was reported missing after leaving home to go on a walk on U.S. Labour and was found later on Tuesday, September 01, 2025.

The Evanston Police Department confirmed that the 72-year-old was transported to the local hospital immediately after police prepared to fly drones along the waterfront of Lake Michigan as part of the investigation.

Dr. Kraus, a professor at the university's school of communication, was last seen on Monday. September 01, 2025 after she left her Evanston home to go on a walk at approximately 9 a.m. local time.

Officials stated that the family reported her missing the same day, officials said.

The details of her condition were not immediately released.

"The University is hopeful that with the community's help, we can find Professor Kraus and assure her safety," Northwestern said in a press release at the time, when she went missing.

The missing person flyer revealed she was last seen wearing long pants and a windbreaker, and was believed to be carrying a dark backpack.

The professor describes herself as a scientist, inventor and amateur musician who studies the biology of auditory learning and teaches and teaches. Kraus is 5 feet, 4 inches tall, weighs approximately 140 pounds and has long silver hair.