An Indian student was found dead outside a laboratory in Purdue University premises on Monday. Neel Acharya, a student pursuing a double major at the University was reported missing on Sunday. The cause of death is yet to be ascertained.
Tippecanoe County Coroner's Office officials were called around 11.30am on Sunday to 500 Allison Road in West Lafayette for a possible dead body. Upon arrival, a college-aged male was found deceased outside Maurice J. Zucrow Laboratories on Purdue's campus.
In an email sent to the department, Chris Clifton, interim head of the university's Computer Science Department said, “It is with great sadness that I inform you that one of our students Neel Acharya has passed away. The leadership in the Department of Computer Science expresses our profound sorrow for his passing. I am deeply saddened by his loss. My condolences go out to his friends family and all affected.” Clifton added Neel was a driven individual and academically talented. He pursued a double major in computer science and data science and was a John Martinson Honors College student.
“He aspired to pursue numerous academic achievements and shared profound connections with friends. He was very proud of and cared deeply for his brothers at Triangle Fraternity. Neel could be counted on to reach out to others and make them feel included. He was an achiever and an includer, with his: most notable qualities being genuine kindness and unwavering compassion,” Clifton said.
Clifton told the local Purdue Exponent newspaper that he received an email from the Office of the Dean of Students confirming Acharya's death. "A deceased person was found that matched Neel's description and had Neel's ID on (him)," he said.
Neel’s mother Goury Acharya had posted on X, seeking support to find her missing son. "Our son Neel Acharya has been missing since yesterday January 28 (12:30 AM EST) He is studying at Purdue University in the US. He was last seen by the Uber driver who dropped him off at Purdue University. We are looking for any info on him. Please help us if you know anything."
Responding to her post, India's Consulate General in Chicago, said: "(The) Consulate is in touch with Purdue University authorities and also with Neel's family. The consulate will extend all possible support and help."
This is the second death of an Indian student in the United States in two days. On Monday, a recent graduate Vivek Saini was murdered by a homeless drug addict in Georgia state's Lithonia city. Saini, who was offering help to the homeless man was hammered to death by the latter.
The Indian Consulate in Atlanta expressed anguish over Saini’s death. “We are deeply anguished by the terrifying, brutal, & heinous incident that led to the death of Indian National/student Mr Vivek Saini and condemn attack in the strongest terms. It is understood that the US authorities have arrested the accused and are investigating the case. The Consulate got in touch with the family of Mr Saini immediately after the incident, provided all consular assistance in sending the mortal remains back to India, and remains in touch with the family,” the Consulate tweeted.
-with agency inputs.