A roommate shared that Saketh had shown signs of withdrawal in recent weeks and urged others to check on friends and loved ones who may be struggling
The Indian Consulate General in San Francisco has confirmed the death of 22-year-old Indian student Saketh Sreenivasaiah, who had been reported missing in California earlier this month. The consulate shared the update on social media, saying that local police had recovered his body and offering heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.
Saketh, originally from Tumakuru in Karnataka, was pursuing a postgraduate degree at the University of California, Berkeley. He was last seen on 9 February, and concern grew when he failed to return to his accommodation. His roommates searched for him and later filed a missing person report with the Berkeley Police Department.
During the search, a backpack containing his passport and laptop was found on a doorstep in the Park Hills area. Authorities later discovered his body in Lake Anza, located in Tilden Regional Park near the Berkeley Hills. The official cause of death has not yet been made public.
The tragedy has sparked conversations about mental health challenges faced by international students living far from home
In the days following his disappearance, his family in India sought help from the Karnataka government, which requested the Ministry of External Affairs to provide assistance through the Indian consulate. The consulate has assured the family that it is helping with legal and logistical procedures, including arrangements for repatriation.
Friends and classmates have described Saketh as a bright and promising student. He had completed his undergraduate studies in chemical engineering at IIT Madras before moving to the United States for higher studies. His sudden death has deeply affected both the UC Berkeley community and his alma mater in India.
A roommate shared that Saketh had shown signs of withdrawal in recent weeks and urged others to check on friends and loved ones who may be struggling. The tragedy has sparked conversations about mental health challenges faced by international students living far from home.
