Princeton student Lauren Blackburn reported missing, prompting an active search by authorities.

A Princeton University undergraduate has been reported missing, prompting extensive search efforts focusing on a lake located on the campus. Lauren Blackburn, 23, was last seen on Saturday around 6 p.m. on the university’s central New Jersey campus. An alert was issued to the Princeton community at approximately 11 a.m. on Tuesday, indicating that Blackburn had been reported missing.

Initial search and rescue operations commenced around midnight on Tuesday at Lake Carnegie, where Blackburn’s cellphone was reportedly traced. The search was briefly interrupted overnight but resumed the following morning. Authorities are utilizing a range of resources for the search, including sonar-equipped boats, drones, and K9 units. Crews have been staging their efforts at a nearby boat ramp, reflecting the comprehensive approach being taken to locate the missing student.

Blackburn is described as approximately 6 feet 2 inches tall, weighing around 170 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. At the time of her disappearance, she was wearing a black hoodie, a yellow t-shirt, and blue jeans. The last known sighting of Blackburn occurred near the school’s Firestone Library, which is situated roughly a mile from the lake.

As a member of the Class of 2026, Blackburn was approaching her academic pursuits with enthusiasm. She previously contributed to the student newspaper, producing feature articles during the 2023-2024 academic year. Her involvement in campus life and the sudden nature of her disappearance have raised concerns among students and faculty alike.

Lake Carnegie is a man-made reservoir, constructed in 1906, that serves as a practice site for the university’s rowing teams. The lake has a history of incidents, including a tragic drowning in 2018 involving a non-student resident from Trenton, New Jersey.

The ongoing search for Blackburn underscores the collective efforts of the Princeton community and local law enforcement agencies to ensure her safe return. Authorities have encouraged anyone with information relevant to her whereabouts to come forward as the search continues. The Princeton community remains hopeful for a positive outcome as efforts to locate Blackburn intensify.

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