Rajat Patra, an Indian American student who came from Bangalore to join prestigious Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh’s prestigious Carnegie Mellon University, was found dead in his off-campus apartment March 30. He was the second student enrolled in the university to have died within days of each other. The cause of death has not yet been released, but the university said the two deaths were not related and that there was no threat to the university community.
Rajat Patra, a student in the Heinz College Master of Information Systems Management program, joined Carnegie Mellon last August. “He was a passionate student who had earned a prestigious internship for the summer and was planning to create his own IT consultancy after graduation,” Subra Suresh, president of the university said in a statement. Patra was also an avid guitar player, and his Facebook shows him in white face, wearing a Pink Floyd t-shirt.
“We have no reason to believe that these deaths are connected, and want to reassure you that there is no threat to other members of our community,” Suresh wrote. “As we share in your sorrow, we want to acknowledge how deeply upsetting these losses are to those who knew Elliott and Rajat, and to the entire Carnegie Mellon community. The team of housefellows, college liaisons, advisors, and others are always available for student support. We would urge any member of our community to engage our Counseling and Psychological Services, either for yourself or as a point of referral for a friend. You may reach a counselor at any time, day or night, at 412-268-2922. Finally, members of the Carnegie Mellon community have a history of looking out for one another. Let us all commit to being especially vigilant and caring for one another at this difficult time.On April 1, the university held a memorial to remember the two students.