Missing Student Found Dead In Cleveland – IndiaWest Journal News

CLEVELAND, OH (IANS) – A 25-year-old student from Hyderabad who had been missing since last month was found dead here.

Mohammed Abdul Arfath, hailing from Nacharam near Hyderabad, was pursuing a master’s degree in information technology at Cleveland University. He had not been in touch with the family since March 7 and his family here had received a ransom call.

“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 General of India in New York said in a post on April 9.

The Consulate is in touch with local agencies to ensure a thorough investigation into Mohammed Abdul Arfath’s death. “We are extending all possible assistance to the bereaved family to transport his mortal remains to India,” it added.

On March 21, the Indian consulate posted that it was in touch with Arfath’s family and authorities in the US and was working with local law enforcement agencies to find him at the earliest.

Arfath’s family residing in Malkajgiri district near Hyderabad had received a call from an unidentified person, who claimed that Arfath had been kidnapped allegedly by a gang selling drugs and demanded $1,200 to release him.

Arfath’s father Mohammed Saleem said he received the call on March 17. The caller threatened to sell Arfath’s kidneys if the ransom wasn’t paid.

Arfath came to the US in May 2023 to pursue a Masters in IT from Cleveland University.