Texas, November 10, 2025: In a tragic development, a 23-year-old Indian student, RajyaLakshmi (Raji) Yarlagadda, from Andhra Pradesh was found dead in her apartment in Texas, United States, earlier this week. Raji, who had recently graduated from Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, had been seeking employment in the US and had moved there with hopes of building a better future for herself and her family. Her untimely demise has left her family, friends, and community members deeply shocked and grieving.

According to her family, Raji had been suffering from severe cold and chest pain for a couple of days before her death. Despite her illness, she was reportedly trying to continue with her plans to secure employment and establish herself professionally. Hailing from Karmechedu village in the Bapatla district of Andhra Pradesh, Raji belonged to a family that relies on farming for their livelihood, cultivating crops and maintaining livestock as their primary source of income.

Raji’s cousin, Chaitanya YVK, shared details about the tragic morning of November 7, when Raji failed to wake up even when her alarm rang. Chaitanya explained that Raji had come to the United States with aspirations of creating a better life not just for herself, but also for her family back in India. “She came to the USA with hopes of building a better future for her family, who rely on their small farmland. She was looking for a job to begin her professional career,” he said. Chaitanya, who is currently in Denton, Texas, has also initiated a GoFundMe campaign to support the family in covering the expenses associated with her death, including educational loans, funeral costs, repatriation of her mortal remains, and ongoing financial support for her parents and siblings.

The GoFundMe campaign has already seen an overwhelming response, raising $125,185 USD from over 3,000 donors, surpassing its original target. “During this difficult time, any contribution — big or small — will make a meaningful difference and bring comfort to the family,” the page states. The funds will play a critical role in helping her grieving family manage the practical and financial challenges that have emerged following Raji’s unexpected passing.

Raji was the youngest member of her family, and her death has left a profound void in the household. Her cousin described her as a bright and hopeful individual who carried aspirations for the future and wanted to contribute meaningfully to her family’s well-being. “She was a bright, hopeful soul who dreamed of helping her parents continue their farming journey. She carried a heart full of hope for the future, dreaming of helping her parents build a better tomorrow,” Chaitanya said.

Her family and community remember Raji not only for her academic achievements but also for her diligence, determination, and compassion. Throughout her education, she had been recognized for her strong academic performance, discipline, and commitment to her studies. Her move to the United States represented the culmination of years of hard work and ambition, as she sought opportunities to develop her career and secure a stable future for herself and her family.

The circumstances of her death are still under investigation, with medical examination procedures underway in Texas to determine the exact cause. While her family has indicated that she had been suffering from severe cold and chest pain, authorities have not officially confirmed the cause of death, pending the completion of formal medical assessments. The uncertainty surrounding her passing has added to the distress of her family, who are awaiting clarity on the medical findings.

The tragedy of Raji’s death comes in the wake of a similar incident earlier this year in October 2025, when a 28-year-old Indian student from Hyderabad, Telangana, was shot dead in Denton, Texas, while working a part-time job at a gas station. These consecutive incidents have raised concerns regarding the safety and well-being of Indian students living and working abroad. While the circumstances of Raji’s death appear to be linked to illness rather than foul play, the recent history of incidents involving Indian students in Texas has heightened anxiety among families sending their children overseas for higher education and employment opportunities.

Raji’s family has expressed immense grief and shock at losing a young member in such tragic circumstances. They have highlighted her dedication to her education, her aspirations for professional growth, and her desire to improve her family’s livelihood through her achievements. In a statement, the family emphasized that Raji had come to the US with dreams of securing employment that could provide long-term support to her parents and siblings, who depend entirely on farming for their sustenance.

The GoFundMe initiative created by Chaitanya aims to ensure that Raji’s family can manage the financial burdens arising from her death while also preserving her memory with dignity. The funds will help cover her educational loans, which were still outstanding at the time of her passing, as well as the costs associated with transporting her body back to Andhra Pradesh. Additionally, the campaign seeks to provide support to her family during a period of profound emotional distress, ensuring that they can meet basic financial and logistical needs while coping with the loss of their youngest member.

The response from the public has been overwhelmingly supportive, with donations pouring in from across the United States, India, and other countries. Many contributors have expressed condolences to the family, praising Raji for her determination, ambition, and courage in pursuing her education and career abroad. Messages of sympathy have highlighted the challenges faced by international students and the resilience required to navigate life in a foreign country while balancing academic, professional, and personal responsibilities.

Raji’s death has also reignited discussions about the health and safety challenges faced by Indian students overseas. While institutions and local authorities provide support and resources for international students, the sudden loss of a student to illness underscores the vulnerabilities that can arise when young individuals are living independently in unfamiliar environments. Experts emphasize the importance of health monitoring, access to medical care, and community support networks to ensure the well-being of students living abroad.

For Raji’s parents and siblings, the tragedy is a stark reminder of the sacrifices made by students pursuing higher education and employment in foreign countries. Her family had invested significant emotional and financial resources to support her studies and relocation to the United States, with the hope that her success would benefit the entire family. Raji’s passing represents not only a personal loss but also the interruption of dreams and aspirations that she had nurtured throughout her life.

As the community in Karmechedu village and the larger Bapatla district mourns Raji’s death, local leaders, friends, and former classmates have expressed their condolences and offered support to her grieving family. Her story serves as both a cautionary tale about the challenges faced by international students and a testament to the dedication and determination of young individuals pursuing their goals across borders.

In summary, the tragic death of RajyaLakshmi Yarlagadda highlights the complex realities faced by Indian students abroad, encompassing issues of health, safety, and the pursuit of professional ambitions in a foreign environment. While authorities continue to investigate the circumstances of her passing, her family and community have mobilized support to manage the immediate financial and emotional repercussions. Raji’s life, though cut short, remains a symbol of hope, perseverance, and commitment to family, reflecting the aspirations of countless students who travel far from home in search of education and opportunity.

Her passing is a profound loss to her family, her village, and all who knew her, underscoring the fragility of life and the enduring impact of young lives devoted to learning and service to family. As the GoFundMe campaign continues to raise funds, it also draws attention to the broader issue of support systems for international students and the collective responsibility to ensure their safety, health, and welfare while pursuing their dreams in distant lands.

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