Rajyalakshmi Yarlagadda, a 23-year-old student from Andhra Pradesh, tragically passed away in the United States on November 7, 2023. A recent graduate of Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, Raji had been seeking job opportunities after completing her master’s degree in computer science.
Raji’s cousin, Chaitanya YVK, shared the devastating news on a GoFundMe campaign he created to support her family. He mentioned that Raji was found unresponsive after her alarm rang that morning.
“She came to the USA with hopes of building a better future for her family, who rely on their small farmland,” Chaitanya wrote in the fundraiser. “She was looking for a job to begin her professional career.”
Reports indicate that Raji had been feeling unwell in the days leading up to her death, experiencing a severe cough and chest pain for 2-3 days. The cause of her death is still under investigation.
Who was Rajyalakshmi Yarlagadda?
Raji, originally from Karanchedu in Bapatla district, had completed her engineering degree at a private college in Vijayawada before moving to the United States in 2023 to pursue higher studies. In the GoFundMe campaign, Chaitanya described her as a “bright, hopeful soul who dreamed of helping her parents continue their farming journey.”
Her cousin further wrote, “Raji’s family has always found strength and purpose in the small piece of farmland in their village. Their crops and animals are more than a source of income. Their youngest, Raji, carried a heart full of hope for the future, dreaming of helping her parents build a better tomorrow.”
The campaign was created to assist with funeral expenses, the repayment of her educational loans, and the costs involved in transporting her body back to India.
Chaitanya appealed to friends, family, and the community for support during this heartbreaking time, stating, “As Raji’s family grieves this unimaginable loss, we are reaching out to our friends and loved ones for support. We are raising funds to help cover her educational loans, funeral, travel expenses (to move her body to her homeland), and some financial support to her family.”
