The body of 22‑year‑old Indian student Saketh Sreenivasaiah was recovered in the United States after he had been reported missing for several days, the Consulate General of India in San Francisco confirmed. Authorities in California located his remains on Saturday, following a six‑day search that began after he disappeared near the University of California, Berkeley campus.

Sreenivasaiah, originally from Karnataka, India, had been pursuing a Master’s degree in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at UC Berkeley. He went missing on February 9, prompting alarm among classmates, friends, and his family. Local law enforcement, search teams, and the Indian consulate mobilized efforts to locate him before the grim discovery was made.

Circumstances of Disappearance

The student was last seen around Lake Anza in the Berkeley Hills, and his backpack, containing his passport and laptop, was found in a nearby residential area, according to local police and media reports. These items were discovered abandoned in the Park Hills neighbourhood, close to Tilden Regional Park, leading officials to focus search efforts around the lake and adjoining areas.

Colleagues and classmates described the disappearance as sudden and upsetting. Roommates had filed a missing person report when he failed to return or contact them after being seen last near the park region.

Academic Background and Achievements

Sreenivasaiah had completed his Bachelor of Technology in Chemical Engineering from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) in 2025. His LinkedIn profile noted his passion for deep‑tech innovations related to materials science, semiconductors, and advanced materials, interests that guided his academic pursuits at UC Berkeley.

During his time at IIT Madras, he engaged in research projects and served in various student leadership roles, indicating an active and ambitious academic life before heading abroad for higher studies. After completing his BTech, he joined the University of California, Berkeley’s Product Development Programme, expected to finish in May 2026.

Official Confirmation and Support

The Chinese consulate’s statement expressed deep sorrow and extended condolences to the student’s family. It also underscored that consular officers remain in contact with both the family and local authorities, offering necessary assistance, including coordination for repatriation of his remains back to India as soon as possible.

Local police and Berkeley authorities took the lead in recovering the body, using standard search protocols. While officials confirmed his identity and the recovery, they have not yet released detailed information on the precise cause or circumstances of his death.

Reactions from Peers and Community

Friends and acquaintances of Sreenivasaiah have publicly shared their grief and memories, describing him as bright, dedicated, and full of promise. Some have highlighted the emotional challenges he faced in the weeks preceding his disappearance. A friend later recounted that his mood appeared to have changed in the days before he went missing, noting signs of emotional distress.

Online tributes and social media posts reflected the deep impact of the loss, with classmates and fellow alumni expressing sadness and support for his family during this difficult time.

Broader Conversation on Student Well‑Being

The incident has reignited broader discussions about the safety, mental health, and well‑being of international students studying abroad. Many students and advocates are urging increased support mechanisms and regular check‑ins for those far from home, particularly given the emotional challenges that can accompany academic pressures and cultural transitions.

As official inquiries continue in California, authorities in India and abroad have pledged to keep the family informed and to provide all necessary support to ensure a dignified handling of this tragic situation.

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