Former NIU student Jeremy Misiaveg, 23, died Saturday on the CTA Blue Line Subway tracks in the 1100 block of North Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago.

Sheila Gregory, a Chicago Transit Authority spokeswoman, said he was electrocuted by the track rail.

Tom Molony, a former Northern Star reporter and a friend of Misiaveg, also a former Star reporter, said Misiaveg’s family found out what happened when watching the local news.

Molony said Misiaveg didn’t change his driver’s license when moving back from Madison, Wis., in the fall, so they didn’t know he was a Chicago resident.

“I was the first one [his brother Matt] called,” he said.

Molony said he first met Misiaveg during an English class they had together. Molony also roomed with his brother in college.

“We played in some bands together,” he said. “We kept in contact regularly.”

While at NIU, Misiaveg also worked at The House, 263 E. Lincoln Highway.

Matthew Clark, entertainment manager at The House, said Misiaveg worked there for about two years.

“He had a good work ethic,” he said. “He was like a powerhouse. We were good friends.”

Misiaveg left NIU and moved to Madison, Wis., with his band, Bicycle Day, where he played the guitar.

Chris Rudnick, a former feature photo editor of the Star and a friend of Misiaveg, said they used to play in a different band together in college.

“He was a huge fan of music,” Rudnick said. “We both liked the same type of music and were open to learning new music.”

Misiaveg moved back to Chicago after his band broke up and wanted to go back to college to get his bachelor’s degree. Molony said he applied to the University of Illinois at Chicago and DePaul University to try to get his degree in philosophy.

“All of us who knew him were in shock,” Molony said. “He was never one to go out and try to cause trouble.”

Misiaveg’s funeral will be held 11 a.m. today at the Schroeder-Lauer Funeral Home, 3227 Ridge Road in Lansing.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in his name to the Thornton Fractional High Drama Club.