A tragic incident has unfolded at Purdue University in Indiana, where an Indian student pursuing a double major has been confirmed dead. Neel Acharya, who went missing on Sunday, was discovered deceased outside Maurice J. Zucrow Laboratories on the university’s campus. The Tippecanoe County Coroner’s Office responded to a call reporting a possible dead body at 500 Allison Road in West Lafayette around 11:30 a.m. on Sunday.
Chris Clifton, interim head of Purdue’s Computer Science Department, expressed deep sorrow in an email to the department, confirming Neel Acharya’s passing. Describing him as a driven and academically talented student, Clifton mentioned that Neel pursued a double major in computer science and data science and was part of the John Martinson Honors College. Neel was proud of his affiliation with Triangle Fraternity and was known for reaching out to others and making them feel included.
While the exact reason for Neel Acharya’s death is yet to be determined, the news has left the university community and his family in mourning. Goury Acharya, the mother of the deceased student, had earlier posted on social media seeking information about her missing son. The Consulate General of India in Chicago has been in contact with Purdue University authorities and Neel’s family, pledging all possible support.
This tragic incident follows the recent gruesome murder of another Indian student, Vivek Saini, who was brutally attacked by a homeless drug addict in Lithonia city, Georgia. The untimely deaths of these students highlight the challenges and risks faced by international students studying in the United States.
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