The deaths of three Indian students in the U.S. in just one week is sparking concern among the community.
The International Business Times reports the India consulate expressed sorrow following the death on Thursday of 19-year-old Shreyas Reddy Benigeri, the fourth student from India found dead this year.
Beniger attended the Linder School of Business in Ohio. The consulate confirmed an investigation is underway to determine cause of death, although they said foul play or a hate crime have been ruled out.
“The Consulate continues to remain in touch with the family and is extending all possible assistance to them,” it said in a statement posted on X.
At Purdue University, some 100 students gathered to remember Neel Acharya, a student found dead on January 28, reported USA Today.
LATEST STORIES
“Neel was always smiling,” said a friend about the double major in computer and data science at the vigil. “He always made me laugh.”
He was found after reported missing by his mother.
His family joined students and faculty for the vigil, but asked not to be interviewed.
The Quint reported on January 16, recent graduate student Vivek Saini died after police in Lithonia, Georgia say a homeless man he had befriended hammered him in the head.
Authorities say a security camera shows 53-year-old Julian Faulkner striking Saini some 50 times. Faulkner had been scheduled to visit his family in India the following week.
“I had spoken to Vivek on 15 January when he told me that he bought us all gifts,” said his brother to the Quint. “He also spoke to my elder sister, who was also planning a visit to India around the same time. But a day later, I got a call from his roommate conveying the news. I also happened to watch the CCTV footage of what had happened. I couldn’t get through the entire video. I deleted it midway… it was too disturbing. How can someone be so inhuman and hit someone like that?”
Authorities also found Akul Dhawan dead near the University of Illinois Urbana-Champagne earlier last month. It’s suspected he died from hypothermia.
AsAmNews is published by the non-profit, Asian American Media Inc. Follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to support our efforts to produce diverse content about the AAPI communities. We are supported in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library in partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.
