Karnataka student Saketh Sreenivasaiah, who went missing, dies — what we know so far

Saketh Sreenivasaiah, a 22-year-old postgraduate studentfrom Karnataka, died in the US, confirmed the Indian Consulate in San Francisco early Sunday, February 15 (IST).

The Consulate said it “deeply regrets to inform that local police have confirmed the recovery of the body of the missing Indian student, Saketh Sreenivasaiah.”

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones during this profoundly difficult time,” it wrote on X.

The Consulate said it stands ready to provide all necessary assistance to the family, including coordination with local authorities and arrangements for the repatriation of mortal remains to India at the earliest.

“Our consular officers are in direct contact with the family and will support them with all required formalities and services,” it said.

Who was Saketh Sreenivasaiah?

Saketh Sreenivasaiah, a student at the University of California, Berkeley, hailing from Karnataka, was reported missing in Berkeley since the morning of February 12, officials said.

The Consulate General had said on Saturday that it is in touch with both the authorities and the parents, and is helping locate the boy.

In a post on X, the Consulate General wrote, "Consulate General of India in San Francisco is deeply concerned about the disappearance of Saketh Sreenivasaiah, an Indian post-graduate student of UC Berkeley, hailing from the State of Karnataka. The Consulate is in touch with the family and also is in contact with the concerned local authorities to locate the student."

Saketh Sreenivasaiah, 22, was pursuing his Master of Science in Product Development Programme from the University of California, Berkeley. He was an Institute of Technology, Madras, alumnus.

“I'm a Masters student in the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering department at UC Berkeley, with an undergraduate degree from IIT Madras. I'm passionate about deep-tech innovations in soft and active materials, semiconductors, and advanced materials,” Saketh wrote on his LinkedIn profile.

According to reports, police said Sreenivasaiah was last seen near Lake Anza in the 1700 block of Dwight Way on Tuesday. They reportedly described Sreenivasaiah as standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing about 160 pounds.

He has short black hair and brown eyes. However, there is no information yet about the circumstances under which he died.