Indian student, missing for six days, found dead in California, consulate offers assistance to family

The student, Saketh Sreenivasaiah, was pursuing a master’s degree in chemical and biomolecular engineering at the University of California, Berkeley.

Originally from Karnataka, he was reported missing on February 9.

In a statement posted on X, the Consulate General of India, San Francisco, said local police had confirmed the recovery of Sreenivasaiah’s body.

The consulate expressed condolences to his family and said it was extending all necessary assistance to ensure the repatriation of his mortal remains to India at the earliest.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones during this profoundly difficult time,” the statement said.

A citywide search had been launched after Sreenivasaiah was last seen about a kilometre from the Berkeley campus.

Search efforts were concentrated around Lake Anza and the Berkeley Hills. During the search, his backpack—containing his passport and laptop—was recovered near a residence close to Tilden Regional Park.

Members of the Indian and student community had also mobilised online, including through Reddit, to help trace him.

Sreenivasaiah was an alumnus of IIT Madras and had completed his schooling at Sri Vani Education Centre in Bengaluru.

According to his LinkedIn profile, he was among six inventors listed on a patent for a “microchannel cooling system for hyperloop and a method thereof.” Friends and peers described him as brilliant, humble and quick-witted.

The incident comes amid broader concerns over the safety of Indian students abroad.

In a recent question raised in the Lok Sabha by MP Asaduddin Owaisi, the Ministry of External Affairs said Indian missions regularly engage with students overseas and conduct orientation sessions to brief them on potential risks and safety precautions.

Local authorities have not yet released further details regarding the circumstances surrounding Sreenivasaiah’s death.