Indian Student From Karnataka Found Dead In California 6 Days After He Went Missing

Last Updated:February 15, 2026, 08:21 IST

Saketh Sreenivasaiah, who was pursuing a master’s degree in chemical and biomolecular engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, went missing on February 9.

A 22-year-old Indian student from Karnataka has been found dead in California, six days after he was reported missing, authorities confirmed on Sunday.

Saketh Sreenivasaiah, who was pursuing a master’s degree in chemical and biomolecular engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, went missing on February 9 after last being seen about a kilometre from the campus.

The Indian Consulate in San Francisco confirmed that local police had recovered his body. In a statement, the consulate expressed condolences to Sreenivasaiah’s family and assured them of all necessary assistance, including 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.

Following his disappearance, authorities launched a citywide search, focusing on areas around Lake Anza and the Berkeley Hills.

Days later, a backpack containing his passport and laptop was found near a residence close to Tilden Regional Park, also located near the university campus.

The case prompted widespread concern, with community members and students mobilising online to support search efforts.

Several users took to Reddit and other platforms to coordinate information and appeals for help.

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

According to available details, he stood over six feet tall, weighed around 160 pounds, and had short black hair and brown eyes.

His academic achievements included being among six inventors listed on a patent for a “microchannel cooling system for hyperloop and a method thereof," as noted on his LinkedIn profile. Friends and peers remembered him as intelligent, humble, and quick-witted.

The incident has once again drawn attention to concerns over the safety of Indian students studying abroad. Recently, Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi raised the issue in the Lok Sabha, seeking details on measures taken to protect students overseas.

In response, the Ministry of External Affairs said Indian missions regularly stay in touch with students enrolled in foreign universities and conduct orientation sessions to brief them on potential risks and safety precautions, along with issuing advisories from time to time.

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