A 22-year-old Indian student, Saketh Sreenivasaiah, was found dead in Berkeley, California, six days after being reported missing, prompting an outpouring of condolences and support.
BERKELEY, CA – Saketh Sreenivasaiah, a 22-year-old student from India, was found dead in California six days after he was reported missing. Sreenivasaiah, a native of Karnataka, was pursuing a master’s degree in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley.
He was last seen on February 9, approximately one kilometer from the campus, which led to a citywide search focusing on the Lake Anza area and the Berkeley Hills.
The Consulate General of India in San Francisco confirmed that local authorities had recovered his body and stated that they would provide all necessary assistance to repatriate his remains to India as soon as possible.
In a statement posted on X, the Consulate expressed its condolences, saying, “The Consulate deeply regrets to inform that local police have confirmed the recovery of the body of the missing Indian student, Saketh Sreenivasaiah. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones during this profoundly difficult time.”
The statement further emphasized the Consulate’s commitment to support the family, noting, “The Consulate stands ready to provide all necessary assistance to the family, including coordination with local authorities and arrangements for the repatriation of mortal remains to India at the earliest. Our consular officers are in direct contact with the family and will support them with all required formalities and services.”
During the search, a backpack containing Sreenivasaiah’s passport and laptop was found near a residence close to Tilden Regional Park, not far from the university. Community members also rallied together online, creating a Reddit thread to coordinate search efforts and share information about his whereabouts.
Sreenivasaiah was an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology Madras and completed his schooling at Sri Vani Education Centre in Bengaluru. He was described as six feet one inch tall, weighing around 160 pounds, with short black hair and brown eyes.
According to his LinkedIn profile, he was one of six inventors listed on a patent for a microchannel cooling system for hyperloop technology and a related method. Friends and colleagues remembered him as quick-witted, humble, brilliant, and deeply loyal.
The tragic loss of Saketh Sreenivasaiah has resonated deeply within the community, highlighting the importance of support and connection during difficult times, according to IANS.