Sameer Kamath Sameer Kamath, a 23-year-old Indian-origin doctoral student at Purdue University in Indiana, United States, was found dead under mysterious circumstances in a nature preserve in Williamsport on Monday.
According to local media reports, his body was found at around 5 pm on Monday, making it the second such death of an Indian student at the university. Earlier, Neel Acharya, an Indian computer science and data science student, was confirmed dead days after being reported missing on January 28.
Originally from Amherst, Massachusetts, Kamath held the US citizenship. He started his higher studies at Purdue University in the summer of 2021, pursuing a Master’s degree in mechanical engineering. Prior to his admission at Purdue, Sameer completed his Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Massachusetts. Graduating with distinction in August 2023, he swiftly transitioned into a doctoral program within the Mechanical Engineering Department, with an aspiration to complete his doctorate by 2025.
The death of Sameer Kamath underscores the broader challenges faced by Indian students studying in the US, with numerous reports highlighting the alarming frequency of such incidents.
Meanwhile, authorities said that investigation into the circumstances surrounding Kamath’s death is underway. Warren County coroner, Justin Brummett, indicated that a comprehensive forensic autopsy, results of which are expected soon, will provide critical insights into the events leading to Kamath’s passing. Brummett has also assured the public of forthcoming updates, promising to disseminate the information as soon as it becomes available.
Written by Nada Fatima (She is an intern with indianexpress.com)