Tragic Loss of Andhra Student Rajyalakshmi Yarlagadda in Texas Sparks Outpouring of Support

Rajyalakshmi Yarlagadda, a promising 23-year-old Indian student from Andhra Pradesh, was found dead in her apartment in Texas, United States, on November 7, 2025. A recent graduate of Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi with a Master’s degree in computer science, Rajyalakshmi had been actively seeking employment opportunities in the US after completing her studies.

According to her cousin Chaitanya YVK, who launched a GoFundMe fundraiser to support her grieving family, Rajyalakshmi had suffered from a severe cough and chest pain for two to three days prior to her death. On the morning of November 7, she did not wake up despite her alarm ringing, leading her friends to discover that she had passed away in her sleep.

The exact cause of death is still under medical examination in the US. Rajyalakshmi's family, based in Karmechedu village of Bapatla district, Andhra Pradesh, are devastated by the sudden loss. Her parents, who are marginal farmers, had supported her dream of building a better future through education. Her cousin’s fundraiser seeks to cover funeral expenses, the repatriation of her body to India, repayment of educational loans, and financial assistance for the family.

Rajyalakshmi’s story resonates deeply in Andhra Pradesh and among the Indian diaspora, symbolizing the hopes of many young students who pursue higher education abroad to support their families at home. Her untimely death has sparked an outpouring of sympathy and calls for awareness about student health and support systems for overseas students.