Indian Student, 23, Dies in Texas After Severe Cough; Family Seeks Support Through Fundraiser
Indian Student, 23, Dies in Texas After Severe Cough; Family Seeks Support Through Fundraiser
Tragedy has struck the Indian student community abroad as 23-year-old Rajyalakshmi “Raji” Yarlagadda, a recent graduate of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, was discovered dead in her apartment in Texas. Originally from Karmechedu village in Bapatla district, Andhra Pradesh, Raji had been actively searching for employment in the United States after completing her studies.
Her cousin, Chaitanya YVK, shared that Raji had been unwell for two to three days, suffering from severe cough and chest pain. “On the morning of November 7, 2025, she did not wake up when her alarm rang, leaving everyone who knew her in profound shock,” he said. Friends later found that she had passed away peacefully in her sleep.
Raji had traveled to the U.S. with hopes of securing a brighter future for her family, whose livelihood depends solely on farming and livestock. “Raji’s family has always found strength and purpose in the small piece of farmland in their village.
Their crops and animals are more than a source of income. Their youngest, Raji, carried a heart full of hope for the future, dreaming of helping her parents build a better tomorrow…. Her sudden death has left the family not only heartbroken but also facing financial hardship,” the fundraising campaign states.
Chaitanya has launched a GoFundMe campaign from Denton, Texas, aiming to raise $125,000 to assist with Raji’s educational loans, funeral expenses, repatriation costs, and some financial support for her grieving family. A post-mortem examination is underway in the U.S. to determine the exact cause of death.
This heartbreaking incident follows the recent death of another Indian student abroad. Vaishnav Krishnakumar, an 18-year-old first-year BBA Marketing student at Middlesex University Dubai and a UAE Golden Visa recipient, collapsed during Diwali celebrations in October and was declared dead due to cardiac arrest.
He is survived by his parents, VG Krishnakumar and Vidhu Krishnakumar, and his younger sister, Vrishti. Teachers and classmates remembered him as a bright, caring, and inspiring young man, leaving the Indian community in sorrow.
“Sudden loss like this shatters the dreams of families and communities alike, leaving a void that is impossible to fill. We hope the support from friends and well-wishers can ease at least some of the burden on Raji’s family during this incredibly difficult time,” the GoFundMe appeal concludes.
