Rajyalakshmi “Raji” Yarlagadda, a 23-year-old recent graduate from Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, was discovered dead in her apartment in Texas on November 7. Originally from Karanchedu in Andhra Pradesh’s Bapatla district, she had recently completed her MS in computer science and was actively seeking job opportunities in the United States.

Andhra Student Found Dead in US After Falling Ill

Raji’s cousin, Chaitanya YVK, revealed that she had been suffering from severe cough and chest pain for 2–3 days prior to her death. “Tragically, on the morning of Nov 7, she did not wake up while her alarm rang, leaving her family and friends heartbroken,” he said. Her roommates found her unresponsive later that day.

Before moving to the US in 2023, Raji earned an engineering degree from a private college in Vijayawada. She came to the United States hoping to secure a better future and support her family, who rely on a small farmland in their village.

In a GoFundMe appeal, Chaitanya highlighted Raji’s dreams and dedication. “She came to the USA with hopes of building a better future for her family, who rely on their small farmland. She was looking for a job to begin her professional career,” he wrote. He further described her as “a bright, hopeful soul who dreamed of helping her parents continue their farming journey… carried a heart full of hope for the future, dreaming of helping her parents build a better tomorrow.”

Fundraiser Launched to Support Family

The fundraiser is intended to help the family cover funeral expenses, repay educational loans, transport Raji’s body to India, and provide some financial support to her grieving parents. “As Raji’s family grieves this unimaginable loss, we are reaching out to our friends and loved ones for support,” Chaitanya added.

A medical investigation is ongoing in the US to determine the exact cause of her death.

Raji’s passing has left her family both devastated and financially strained. She was the youngest in a family whose livelihood depends on their farmland. Last year, 11 Indian and Indian-origin students reportedly died in the United States, underscoring the challenges and pressures faced by international students.