Indian student found dead in Texas after days of severe cough and chest pain

Texas, United States: A 23-year-old Indian student, Rajyalakshmi (Raji) Yarlagadda, has been found dead in her apartment in Texas, leaving her family and friends in deep shock.

Yarlagadda, originally from Andhra Pradesh, had recently graduated from Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi and was actively seeking employment in the United States. She was discovered dead on 7 November, after reportedly suffering from a severe cough and chest pain for several days.

According to her cousin, Chaitanya YVK, “Tragically, on the morning of 7 November 2025, she did not wake up while her alarm rang, leaving her family and friends heartbroken.” Her friends later confirmed that she had passed away in her sleep.

A medical examination is currently underway in the US to determine the exact cause of death.

In the wake of the tragedy, Chaitanya has launched a GoFundMe campaign from Denton, Texas, to support Yarlagadda’s grieving family in Andhra Pradesh. The appeal explains that Raji came to the US with dreams of helping her farmer parents in Karmechedu village, Bapatla district.

“Raji’s family has always found strength and purpose in their small piece of farmland,” the appeal reads. “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 fundraiser aims to cover funeral expenses, the transportation of Yarlagadda’s body to India, repayment of her educational loans, and to provide financial assistance to her parents.