Indian student Saketh Sreenivasaiah, missing near Berkeley since Feb 9, was found dead at Lake Anza. Consulate offers support to family and repatriation assistance.
Saketh Sreenivasaiah was a graduate student at the University of California, Berkeley, pursuing a Master’s in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. (Photo: Social Media)
Local authorities in California have recovered the body of 22-year-old Indian student Saketh Sreenivasaiah near Lake Anza in the Berkeley Hills, nearly a week after he went missing, the Consulate General of India in San Francisco confirmed.
Police, search teams, and park officials worked for several days in and around Tilden Regional Park following reports that Sreenivasaiah was last seen near the lake on February 9. The confirmation of his death brings a tragic end to the extensive search involving sonar, divers, and drones.
Saketh Sreenivasaiah was a graduate student at the University of California, Berkeley, pursuing a Master’s in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. Hailing from Tumakuru, Karnataka, he had earlier completed his Bachelor of Technology in chemical engineering from IIT Madras.
According to officials and community reports, he was last seen near Lake Anza before disappearing. His backpack, containing his passport and laptop, was found abandoned near a nearby residence, prompting the police to focus search efforts on the lake and surrounding trails.
In a post on social media platform X, the Indian Consulate in San Francisco shared the heartbreaking confirmation of Sreenivasaiah’s death. “The Consulate deeply regrets to inform that local police have confirmed the recovery of the body of the missing Indian student, Saketh Sreenivasaiah. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones during this profoundly difficult time.”
The Consulate deeply regrets to inform that local police have confirmed the recovery of the body of the missing Indian student, Saketh Sreenivasaiah. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones during this profoundly difficult time.
— India in San Francisco (@CGISFO) February 14, 2026
The Consulate stands…
The mission also stated that it is ready to aid the family in coordinating with local authorities and arranging for the repatriation of his mortal remains. “Our consular officers are in direct contact with the family and will support them with all required formalities and services,” the statement added.
The search for Sreenivasaiah had drawn attention from both residents and his peers at UC Berkeley. Residents, classmates, and members of the Indian community shared his details widely across social platforms to help locate him before the tragic discovery.
Law enforcement had urged anyone with information about his whereabouts to come forward. The extensive search included resources from the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, the Berkeley Police Department, and the East Bay Regional Park District.
Before the discovery, Sreenivasaiah’s family had formally written to the Karnataka government, urging assistance in locating their son and seeking help from the Ministry of External Affairs to coordinate diplomatic support. Karnataka’s Chief Secretary had asked the ministry to work with the Indian consulate and local law enforcement to aid the search.
His father last spoke to him on February 9, and after confirming he was untraceable, his roommates filed a missing person complaint with the Berkeley Police Department.
At this stage, authorities have not publicly released detailed information on the cause of Sreenivasaiah’s death. The investigation remains active as local police and coroners review the circumstances and prepare formal reports.
This heartbreaking incident highlights the intense emotional and physical challenges students may face abroad and underscores the importance of community, outreach, and mental health support for international scholars.
