The tragic disappearance and death of Saketh Sreenivasaiah, a 22-year-old Indian postgraduate student at the University of California, Berkeley, has sent ripples of shock and sorrow through academic and expatriate communities across two continents. Sreenivasaiah, who had been pursuing a master’s degree in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, was reported missing on February 9, 2026. Six days later, after a painstaking citywide search, his body was recovered from Lake Anza in the Berkeley Hills, as confirmed by the Consulate General of India in San Francisco (according to The Federal and The Berkeley Scanner).
The timeline of events began with Sreenivasaiah being last seen approximately one kilometre from the UC Berkeley campus. His sudden disappearance quickly triggered alarm among friends, faculty, and the broader Indian student community. Authorities launched an intensive search operation, focusing on the Lake Anza and Berkeley Hills areas. The urgency was palpable: community members mobilized through online platforms, including Reddit, where volunteers coordinated search efforts, some with boats and others aided by search dogs (The Federal).
During the search, a breakthrough came when Sreenivasaiah’s backpack, containing his passport and laptop, was discovered near a residence close to Tilden Regional Park, not far from the campus. This led law enforcement and volunteers to intensify their focus on the area around Lake Anza. Access to the lake and surrounding trails was closed to the public as authorities, including the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office and Berkeley police, deployed sonar equipment, drones, and divers in the search (The Berkeley Scanner).
On February 14, 2026, shortly after 2:00 pm local time, the dive team located and recovered a body from Lake Anza. The Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office took over the case, and Sreenivasaiah’s roommate, Baneet Singh, identified the body as his friend in a public post on LinkedIn. The Consulate General of India in San Francisco confirmed the tragic news later that day, expressing condolences and assuring the family of full support for the repatriation of Sreenivasaiah’s remains to India. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones during this profoundly difficult time,” the Consulate stated (The Federal, The Berkeley Scanner).
Sreenivasaiah’s academic journey was nothing short of impressive. Originally from Karnataka, India, he had completed his schooling at Sri Vani Education Centre in Bengaluru, achieving a remarkable 96.5% in his Class 10 exams. He pursued pre-university education at BASE PU College before earning a BTech in Chemical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, graduating with a CGPA of 8.41 (The Berkeley Scanner). His passion for deep tech innovations was evident; he was one of six co-inventors listed on a patent for a “microchannel cooling system for hyperloop and a method thereof,” as per his LinkedIn profile. Friends and peers described him as witty, humble, intellectually sharp, and deeply committed to research-driven problem-solving (The Federal).
While the official cause of death has not been publicly disclosed by California authorities, Sreenivasaiah’s roommate offered a poignant glimpse into his state of mind in the weeks leading up to his disappearance. In a LinkedIn post, Singh wrote that Sreenivasaiah’s mood had changed about two weeks earlier: “He started eating less and engaging less, only surviving on chips and cookies.” Singh recounted their last conversation, when Sreenivasaiah returned from class in a red bathrobe and said he had stopped caring about what anyone thought of him. Singh admitted, “I didn’t expect this from a friend who lived, ate, travelled, laughed and joked with me. It hurts. Life as an international student is tough, man.” (The Berkeley Scanner, The Daily Californian).
Singh also revealed that Sreenivasaiah had invited him to Lake Anza on January 21, less than three weeks before his disappearance. “Now I know that he really meant it,” Singh wrote, reflecting on the subtle signs he had missed. He urged others to reach out to loved ones, adding, “Please reach out to your loved ones and make sure they’re okay. Instead of sitting in sorrow, connect with friends and family.”
The news of Sreenivasaiah’s death has reignited discussions about the well-being and safety of Indian students abroad. According to The Hindu, in response to a query in the Lok Sabha by MP Asaduddin Owaisi, India’s Ministry of External Affairs emphasized that Indian missions overseas maintain regular contact with students, conduct pre-orientation sessions to brief them on local risks, and issue advisories as needed. “Indian Missions/Posts also take steps to maintain regular contact with Indian students enrolled in foreign universities in their jurisdictions, including issue of advisories from time to time,” the Ministry stated (The Hindu).
The Consulate General of India in San Francisco has been proactive throughout the ordeal, assisting the family and working with U.S. authorities to expedite the repatriation process. Consular officers are in direct contact with Sreenivasaiah’s family, supporting them with all required formalities and services. Singh, the roommate, is also collaborating with officials to arrange for Sreenivasaiah’s family to travel to the U.S. on an emergency visa (The Federal, The Berkeley Scanner).
The tragedy has also prompted local authorities and media to highlight mental health resources available in Alameda County, including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and other support services. The pressures faced by international students—far from home, navigating unfamiliar cultures, and often under immense academic stress—have come under renewed scrutiny. Sreenivasaiah’s story, while deeply personal, resonates with many in the global student diaspora.
Peers and faculty at UC Berkeley and IIT Madras remember Sreenivasaiah as a brilliant mind and a loyal friend, someone whose innovative spirit and kindness left a mark on everyone he met. His death is a stark reminder of the silent struggles many students face and the importance of community support and vigilance.
As the investigation into the circumstances of his death continues, the thoughts of both the Indian and Berkeley communities remain with Sreenivasaiah’s family and friends. His journey, marked by academic excellence and a passion for innovation, will not be forgotten.