Akul Dhawan, an 18-year-old Indian-American student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, passed away last month, with the Champaign County Coroner’s Office attributing his death to hypothermia, exacerbated by acute alcohol intoxication and prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures. The tragic incident occurred after Dhawan was denied entry to the Canopy Club, a venue near the campus, and subsequently found on the back porch of a building in west Urbana.
The events unfolded on January 20, when Dhawan, out for drinks with friends, attempted entry to the club multiple times, facing refusal each time. Despite turning down two rideshare vehicles, he was reported missing as calls went unanswered. The campus police initiated a search, but Dhawan’s body was discovered the next morning on a back porch, with brutal cold and freezing temperatures prevailing in the region during that period.
Akul’s parents, Ish and Ritu Dhawan, revealed that their son was found just 400 feet from where he was reported missing. The university student, who had turned 18 in September, had pursued studies in robotics against his parents’ wishes for him to stay closer to home.
In a separate incident, Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old Indian student in Washington, lost her life after being hit by a speeding police vehicle on January 23 the previous year. Despite widespread calls for accountability, the police officer involved, Kevin Dave, will not face criminal charges due to a purported lack of sufficient evidence, according to a US prosecutor. Bodycam footage released by Seattle Police revealed an officer’s insensitive comments and dismissal of the need for a criminal investigation, adding to the distressing circumstances surrounding Kandula’s tragic death.
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