A 23-year-old Indian student from Karanchedu village in Bapatla district, Andhra Pradesh, Rajyalakshmi “Raji” Yarlagadda was found dead in her apartment in Texas on November 7, 2025. Raji had recently completed an MS in computer science from Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi and was reported to be looking for employment in the United States when she died. The exact cause of death is yet to be determined and is subject to a medical investigation in the US.
What the family and reports say
According to a fundraiser started by Raji’s cousin and multiple media reports, friends and roommates found her unresponsive after her morning alarm went off. Family members say she had been unwell for two to three days with a severe cough and chest pain before she was found. Her relatives have launched appeals and a GoFundMe campaign to meet the costs of repatriation, funeral and outstanding education loans.
The family’s GoFundMe page listed an initial target to cover repatriation and related expenses; the page shows significant public donations as the community rallied to support the family’s needs. Journalistic accounts and the campaign page provide the primary on-the-ground details available so far.
Verified facts and what remains unconfirmed
Verified: Raji’s identity (Rajyalakshmi Yarlagadda), age (23), hometown (Karanchedu, Bapatla district), university (Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi) and the date she was found (reported as November 7, 2025) have been consistently reported by major Indian news outlets.
Unconfirmed / Under investigation: The official medical cause of death has not been publicly released. Media reports cite family accounts of symptoms (cough, chest pain) but investigators and the medical examiner’s office in the US would release a conclusive cause only after post-mortem and toxicology reports — those results have not been published at the time of writing.
Wider significance and immediate impact
This tragedy highlights several issues that resonate with thousands of Indian students pursuing higher studies abroad:
- Health and access to timely care: Sudden illness in a foreign country can rapidly become a crisis if students do not have immediate access to appropriate medical attention or lack clarity about local healthcare processes. Family accounts that Raji had sought medical help underscore how quickly health situations can escalate.
- Cost and logistics of repatriation: Bringing a deceased person home involves substantial paperwork and expense (mortuary care, embalming if required, airline transportation, consular clearances). Families frequently rely on community fundraising, college support, insurance (if purchased) and consular assistance. The fundraiser for Raji’s family shows how communities mobilise to bridge that gap.
- Emotional and economic toll on rural families: Raji had gone abroad with hopes of supporting her family’s small farmland; her death is an emotional bereavement as well as a potential financial shock for her parents and dependents. Local media coverage from Andhra Pradesh describes the deep distress in her native village.
Practical takeaways for students and families
While investigators complete their work in this case, there are practical steps Indian students and their families can take to reduce risk and prepare for emergencies abroad:
- Buy adequate health and repatriation insurance that covers inpatient care, evacuation and repatriation of remains.
- Register with the nearest Indian mission or consulate upon arrival; missions can provide guidance and consular assistance in emergencies.
- Know local emergency numbers and healthcare providers near the residence and campus; keep copies of important documents (passport, insurance, local medical records) accessible.
- Maintain an emergency contact network in both the host country and India — friends/roommates, campus authorities, family back home and the student’s academic department.
What to expect next
Authorities in the US will complete the medical examination and release a cause of death when available; the family and the university will coordinate with consular officials about repatriation if that is the family’s choice. Journalistic outlets will update their coverage as official findings and consular statements become public
Last Updated on: Tuesday, November 11, 2025 3:45 pm by Saketh Chettaboina | Published by: Saketh Chettaboina on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 3:44 pm | News Categories: Latest News
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