Chicago , Illinois -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A body found Monday in the Chicago River is that of Michael Scott , president of the Chicago Board of Education , police said . A medical examiner has ruled Scott 's death a suicide , Police Superintendent Jody Weis said , but authorities have not completed their investigation . There was a gunshot wound to the head , police said . Scott 's family had reported him missing about midnight , and his body was found about 3:20 a.m. , Weis said . He was last seen about 6:30 p.m. Sunday , Weis said , but he would not disclose where , saying that may be part of the investigation . Scott 's wife told police that it was `` very unusual '' for him not to be home by midnight , Weis said . The gunshot entrance wound was on the left side of his head , police said . A weapon was found either under or alongside his body , Weis said , and Scott 's car was in the immediate area . The police investigation will include ballistics evidence and analysis of surveillance cameras in the area , Weis said . It is too early for police to draw conclusions , he added . `` Mr. Scott was a strong advocate for education , '' Cook County Board President Todd Stroger said in a written statement . `` His contributions to the minority communities of Cook County will be sorely missed , in particular , his love for the upward mobility of residents from Chicago 's West Side , where he spent his life . '' In Washington , U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan also mourned Scott 's death , saying he was `` shocked and saddened by the sudden death '' of his `` friend and colleague . `` Michael cared passionately about public education and made many courageous decisions as president of the board . He gave his time , energy and talents to improving the life chances of children . `` Chicago has lost a great leader , and the city 's school children have lost a devoted champion . '' Duncan was the chief executive officer of the Chicago school system from 2001 to 2008 . The Rev. Jesse Jackson recalled first meeting Scott about 30 years ago . `` We 're just stunned and shocked , '' he said . `` Michael was so effervescent , so full of life . '' Scott had been appointed to the Chicago Board of Education three times , twice as president . He most recently was appointed in February . Previously , Scott was board president for five years , until July 2006 . Scott disclosed in early August that he had been subpoenaed to testify before a federal grand jury investigating how students were chosen for admission to some of Chicago 's most elite public schools . He denied using his influence during two stints as board president to help any student into a selective-enrollment school . Scott , who was a developer , also was criticized in August when it was revealed that he had quietly arranged to develop city-owned land near a park that would have been used in the 2016 Summer Games . The move would have positioned Scott to cash in , had Chicago been awarded the Olympics . The 2016 Games were awarded to Rio de Janeiro , Brazil . CNN 's Mark Bixler contributed to this report .