Saketh Sreenivasaiah, a 22-year-old Indian student who had been missing since February 9, has been found dead in the United States, India’s diplomatic mission in San Francisco confirmed on Sunday.
According to local authorities, his body was recovered from Lake Anza near the Berkeley Hills in California. Saketh was pursuing a Master of Science in the Product Development Programme at the University of California, Berkeley and was last seen in the vicinity of Tilden Regional Park.
In a statement on X, the Consulate General of India, San Francisco expressed deep regret over the development and conveyed condolences to his family. The mission said it is in touch with local authorities and will extend all necessary assistance, including support with documentation and repatriation of the mortal remains.
“Our consular officers are in direct contact with the family and will assist them with all required formalities,” the statement said. The confirmation comes shortly after the Consulate had earlier raised concern about his disappearance and stated that it was coordinating with law enforcement and Saketh’s relatives.
Hailing from Tumakuru in Karnataka, Saketh had last spoken to his family on February 9, according to his father. After he became untraceable, his roommates reportedly searched nearby areas and subsequently lodged a missing person complaint with the Berkeley Police Department.
Saketh’s parents had written to Karnataka Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh seeking assistance. The Karnataka government then requested the Ministry of External Affairs to facilitate support through the Indian mission in the US.
An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Saketh had completed his Bachelor of Technology in chemical engineering before moving to the US for higher studies. Authorities have not yet released further details regarding the circumstances of his death, and the matter remains under investigation.
Comments are closed.