Body of missing Yale employee found in Suffolk County, N.Y.

The body of Anton Sovetov, a Yale employee who had been the subject of a missing person’s investigation since early February, was found on the Long Island, New York shoreline on Saturday, April 30.

The cause of death is under investigation by the Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office on Long Island. The Yale and New Haven police departments are assisting police in Suffolk County with the continuing investigation of Sovetov’s disappearance.

“We will continue to do all we can in the face of this terrible tragedy,” said Yale Chief of Police Ronnell Higgins.

Yale’s obituary for Sovetov can be found here.

Sovetov, 44, a graphic designer in the Yale Office of Public Affairs & Communications, was last in touch with university colleagues on Friday, Feb. 4. A security camera recorded him leaving the Elm City Market on Chapel Street and walking toward his nearby apartment shortly before 6 p.m. on the following day. Police were notified that he was missing on Feb. 9.

In the nearly three months since, Yale officers had been investigating Sovetov’s disappearance with assistance from the New Haven Police Department Investigative Services Unit and other state and local authorities.

“We mourn Anton’s loss,” said Vice President for Communications Nate Nickerson. “Anton was a wonderful, devoted colleague with uncommon talent. His work honored and added to Yale’s legacy of exceptional graphic design. We will miss him dearly.”

Anyone with information that could aid the investigation into Sovetov’s death should contact Yale Police at 203-432-4400,  New Haven Police at 203-946-6316, or send an anonymous text tip through the LiveSafe app.

Members of the Yale community who are feeling affected by this tragedy are encouraged to use the resources available to them. For Yale College and graduate students more information is available at the Yale Mental Health & Counseling site. Information for members of the Yale University staff and faculty can be found at Yale Health. The Yale Chaplain’s Office is available to all members of the community.