Washington:
Varun Raj Pucha, the 24-year-old Indian student who was stabbed at a fitness center in the US state of Indiana, has succumbed to his injuries, the university where he was studying said.
Varun, a computer science student at Valparaiso University, was stabbed in the head by attacker Jordan Andrade, 24, at the public gym on October 29 for reasons authorities are still investigating.
“It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing away of Varun Raj Pucha. Our campus community has lost one of its own, and our thoughts and prayers go out to Varun’s family and friends as we mourn this devastating loss,” Valparaiso University, a private university in Valparaiso, Indian, near Chicago, said Wednesday in a statement.
Following the incident, the attacker was arrested and charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and attempted murder.
“The university remains in contact with Varun’s family and we will continue to provide help and support where possible as they get through this extremely difficult time. We ask that you join us in keeping them in your thoughts and prayers,” the university said.
A memorial service for Varun is planned on campus on November 16.
“Our university extends our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Varun Raj Pucha. Our thoughts are with his family and we pray for their recovery,” the university said.
Varun pursued an MS in Computer Science and left for the US in August 2022. It was expected that he would return home (Telangana’s Khammam) next year after completing his course.
His cousin told ABC7 Chicago that his condition did not improve after the incident.
He had movement only on one side of his body and remained unconscious in a Fort Wayne hospital before his death.
Anile Balleboyne is one of the few relatives the student had in the US, while his parents and the rest of the family live in India. She said he came to Indiana about a year and a half ago hoping to get a good education.
“It’s very difficult because no one would expect this kind of situation for their children. He has a lot of dreams. He came with a lot of dreams to support his family financially and emotionally,” Balleboyne said.
On Wednesday, the North American Telugu Society had raised $90,000 for Varun’s family through GoFundMe.
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