A 23-year-old Indian American student named Sameer Kamath from Purdue University, who was found dead by officials in a nature preserve in Indiana this week had shot himself in the head with a gun said officials. Kamath, who is a US citizen was discovered dead in the woods February 5, 2024 at 5PM local time in NICHES Land Trust-Crow’s Grove in Williamsport, Indiana.
Justin Brummet, the Coroner at the Warren County Coroner’s office, in press release on February 7, 2024 said that Kamath’s autopsy was performed on February 6, 2024 in Crawfordsville, Indiana.
The press release which was released from the coroner’s office stated that the preliminary cause of his death was gunshot wound to the head and that he died by suicide. The toxicology report of Kamath is still pending.
“Through extensive investigation by the Warren County Coroner’s office in conjunction with other multiple and local federal agencies, we are now able to release a preliminary cause and manner of death,” said the release. The corners office stated that before releasing the information, Kamaths family was notified of his results.
The Warren County Coroners Office, Purdue University Administration and the Warren County Sherrif Office as well as other supporting agencies are still investigating the case. “Our deepest sympathies and condolences go to our family and we hope they are respected during such a difficult time,” said Brummet. A report published by The Purdue Exponent stated that Kamath was pursuing his PhD (Doctoral Degree) in mechanical engineering.
According to the report, the mechanical engineering head Eckhard Groll, in an email confirmed that he was from Massachusetts and he received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and came to Purdue in the summer of 2021, said the Purdue Exponent Report. According to his LinkedIn profile, Kamath was set to graduate from the doctoral programme in 2025.
The death of Kamath is the latest in the string of tragic death incidents to which Indian-origin students have fallen victim in the United States of America (USA). Another Purdue student, 19-year-old Neel Acharya was reported missing and later found dead on the Purdue University West Lafayette Campus.
