Indian Student, 25, Found Dead In US, Went To Ohio In 2023 For Master's

A 25-year-old student from Hyderabad, who moved to the US in 2023 for a Master's at Cleveland State University, has been found dead, the Indian consulate in New York said today. Mohammed Abdul Arfath had been missing for nearly three weeks, and the consulate had earlier said that it was in touch with Abdul's family and was working with local law enforcement agencies to locate him. This morning, the embassy said he was found dead.

Anguished to learn that Mr. Mohammed Abdul Arfath, for whom search operation was underway, was found dead in Cleveland, Ohio.

Our deepest condolences to Mr Mohammed Arfath's family. @IndiainNewYork is in touch with local agencies to ensure thorough investigation into Mr… https://t.co/FRRrR8ZXZ8

— India in New York (@IndiainNewYork) April 9, 2024

"Anguished to learn that Mr. Mohammed Abdul Arfath, for whom search operation was underway, was found dead in Cleveland, Ohio. Our deepest condolences to Mr Mohammed Arfath's family," the consulate said in a post on X.

"@IndiainNewYork is in touch with local agencies to ensure thorough investigation into Mr Mohammed Abdul Arfath's death. We are extending all possible assistance to the bereaved family to transport his mortal remains to India," it added.

Arfath's father Mohammed Saleem said they last spoke on March 7 and then his cellphone was switched off. On March 19, Mr Saleem received a call from an unidentified person, who said Arfath had been kidnapped by a gang selling drugs and demanded $1,200.

"I got a call from an unknown number, and the caller informed me that my son had been kidnapped and demanded money. The caller did not mention the mode of payment. When I asked the caller to let us talk to my son, he refused," Mr Saleem told news agency PTI.