Andhra Student Found Dead in Texas Apartment Amid Illness
Andhra Student Found Dead in Texas Apartment Amid Illness
A tragic end to high aspirations: 23-year-old Indian student RajyaLakshmi (Raji) Yarlagadda, who had recently graduated from Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, was found dead in her apartment in Texas earlier this week. Her family says she had been suffering from a severe cold and chest pain in the days before her death.
Raji hailed from Karmechedu village in Bapatla district, Andhra Pradesh. She came to the United States with hopes of launching a professional career and supporting her family’s modest farmland back home. A cousin, Chaitanya YVK, shared that she didn’t wake up when her alarm rang on the morning of November 7 the day her lifeless body was discovered.
Medical examination procedures are under way to ascertain the exact cause of death, though no official findings have yet been released. Meanwhile, a GoFundMe campaign organised by her cousin aims to help with her educational loans, funeral arrangements, and the cost of bringing her remains home. The fund has exceeded its goal, illustrating the outpouring of support for the young student.
Her family, who rely on agriculture and livestock for a living, had pinned their hopes on Raji’s achievements and her upcoming career. “She was a bright, hopeful soul who dreamed of helping her parents build a better tomorrow,” said her cousin.
The case comes amid broader concerns about the welfare of Indian students abroad, and highlights the emotional burden many carry when pursuing dreams far from home. The academic journey, the expectations, and the distance from the comfort of family can all add up. Raji’s untimely demise is a harsh reminder of life’s unpredictability and the silent struggles that can go unnoticed.
For the Yarlagadda family, the road ahead is grief-stricken and uncertain. While their daughter had achieved a significant milestone by graduating abroad, the future she hoped for will now remain unfulfilled. The community’s support and memory will play a central role in sustaining the family’s resilience.
In this moment of sorrow, her story underscores both the triumphs and the vulnerabilities of young dream-chasing students overseas. It is a call for net of support, care and compassion not just for the academic achievement, but for the person behind it.