A promising future cut short: The remains of Saket Srinivasaiah, a 22-year-old from Karnataka studying Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at UC Berkeley, were discovered after six days of frantic searching in California.
Vanishing on February 9 about one kilometer from campus, Saket’s disappearance triggered a citywide manhunt, intensely probing Anza Lake and Berkeley Hills vicinities. Local law enforcement’s confirmation came via the San Francisco Indian Consulate, which activated full support protocols.
The consulate’s heartfelt X message extended condolences and outlined immediate steps for returning his body to India. Searchers uncovered his backpack—complete with passport and laptop—in the Tilden Regional Park zone, near a university-proximate residence.
From IIT Madras to Sri Vani schooling in Bengaluru, Saket’s profile was elite: 6’1″, 160 lbs, short black hair, brown eyes. Acquaintances universally praised his acuity, humility, talent, and trustworthiness.
Co-holding a patent for Hyperloop’s microchannel cooling innovation, Saket’s contributions were just beginning. The consulate’s assurances of unwavering assistance provide some solace to a grieving family, as the incident underscores vulnerabilities faced by international students abroad.