US: Missing Indian Student Found Dead in the Purdue University Campus, Indiana

An Indian student who went missing in the United States in Indiana has been found dead on the Purdue Campus here. Reportedly, a college-aged male, Neel Acharya arrived in the country for higher education in 2022 from Pune, India, and was reported missing on Sunday, 28 January 2024.

His body was discovered after the officials were called around 11:30 am on Sunday to 500 Allison Road in West Lafayette for a possible dead body. Following their arrival, a “college-aged male” was reported dead on the Purdue Campus, according to the reports by the Tippecanoe County Coroner’s Office. 

After the body was discovered, it was identified as Neel Acharya, a double major in Computer Science and data science at the John Martinson Honors College of Purdue University.

Initially, the victim’s mother, Goury Acharya, took to Twitter, to report the missing details about her son, Neel Acharya. While sharing details on social media, she appealed for help to find her son who a cab driver last saw on the Purdue Campus.

“Our son Neel Acharya has been missing since yesterday Jan 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.” Gouri Acharya wrote on X.

The Consulate General of India in Chicago replied to her Twitter post, “The Consulate is in touch with Purdue University authorities and also with Neel’s family. The consulate will extend all possible support and help.”

According to the Independent Student Newspaper, The Purdue Exponent reported that the Interim head of the Computer Science Department has sent a letter referring to the death of their department student, Neel Acharya.

It is with great sadness that I inform you that one of our students, Neel Acharya, has passed away. My condolences go out to his friends, family, and all affected,” Chris Clifton wrote in the mail.

Meanwhile, the horrific incident came close to another brutal murder of an Indian student in the US, Vivek Saini, who was pursuing an MBA in Georgia Lithonia. Saini, who worked at a conventional store, offered free chips, water, and a jacket to a homeless man sheltered at the conventional store. However, on January 16, Vivek refused Faulkner free food and this led to the horrendous attack.