US: 24-year-old Indian origin student succumbs to stabbing attack injuries
24-year-old Indian origin student succumbs to stabbing attack injuries
Varun Raj Pucha, a 24-year-old Indian-origin student who on October 29th was stabbed at a public gym in Valparaiso, Indiana, has succumbed to his injuries.
Pucha, who was a student of computer science at Valparaiso University, died at a local hospital on Wednesday (Nov 8).
A 'devastating loss'
In a statement, Valparaiso University announced the passing and said: "It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing 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."
Also read |US: Indian-origin student stabbed in Indiana, in critical condition with '0-5%' chances of survival
Varun had sustained a severe injury to his head and was transported to a Fort Wayne hospital for urgent medical treatment. At the time, he was given a slim chance of survival, ranging from "zero to five per cent".
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
National Handloom Day 2026: From Alia Bhatt to Samantha Ruth Prabhu; Actresses who celebrated India's textile heritage as brides
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
Unitree Robotics targets $9 billion valuation in landmark IPO backed by DeepSeek and Tencent
)
India names 27 sites in Arunachal Pradesh
)
Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata OTT: When will Kangana Ranaut's film stream online?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How many soldiers operate one S-400 battery?
)
Shakib Al Hasan ready to return to Bangladesh—under one condition
)
‘Fake news’: MEA rejects report claiming India sought defence pact with Israel after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey deal
)
Rockstar to unveil GTA 6 extended look ahead of November launch
)
Russia forms Ukrainian Volunteer Spetsnaz Brigade to fight Ukraine
)
Drug-resistant fungus that hides in hair and enters bloodstream reported in 23 US states
)
Technology transfer deal boosts India's defence manufacturing ambitions
)
Border row erupts in Europe after Ceuta crossings, Spain imposes border controls on Italy
)
Morale plummets on USS Abraham Lincoln: Are US sailors reaching a breaking point? | GRAVITAS
)
'Security can't be bought with Pakistan, Turkey deal': Iran tells Saudi Arabia
)
Baba Vanga's 2026 prophecy: 2 predictions 'already came true', 3 terrifying ones remain. Details inside
)
Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella vows to ‘defeat narco-terrorists’, signals hardline shift
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New Friday OTT releases (August 7, 2026): Operation Safed Sagar, Vadhandhi, Main Vaapis Aaunga- 6 movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth scripts history as Indian Air Force gets its first woman ‘Top Gun’ pilot
)
RSS says Gen Z protests reflect genuine distress
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
IAF officer held for sharing sensitive information in 'honey trap' case, booked under Official Secrets Act
)
Stray Kids under scrutiny? Fans react to Grammy submission silence after BTS boycott
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI doesn't need external fuel tanks to fly vast distances
)
Jugal Hansraj reunites with Shekhar Kapur after 40 years for Masoom: The Next Generation
)
New speed limits, automatic challans: Big traffic change coming to Delhi-Meerut Expressway. All you need to know
)
India officially names 27 places in Arunachal to counter China's renaming claims
)
Trump calls White House ballroom ruling a 'national disgrace' as court says Congress approval needed
)
US sanctions Iran’s crypto network after Strait of Hormuz attacks, offers $15m bounty for intel on IRGC finance
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI is one of the heaviest fighters ever built
)
Uttarakhand young innovator builds India's own flying vehicle, conducts first test flight: WATCH
)
Chilling video shows students take cover as teen opens fire at Thai school
)
Reese Witherspoon's father hospitalised after poolside incident in Nashville: Report
He belonged to India's Telangana and was pursuing an MS in computer science in the US since August 2022. A memorial service will be held for him on the Valparaiso University campus on November 16th.
A little 'weird'
An NWIU Times report previously identified the attacker as 24-year-old Jordan Andrad, who was detained by the police soon after the attack.
The attacker, Andrad, is facing charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and attempted murder.
As per the charging document, upon arrest, Andradtold the police that he had requested a massage at the gym on the morning of the incident.
Also read |India: Doctor goes on four-hour tea break after sedating four patients in operation theatre
Upon entering the massage room, he encountered the other man (Varun), whom he described as "a little weird" and potentially threatening.
Andradclaimed that he reacted the "right way" in response to the perceived threat.He reportedly also told the police that Varun "was going to assassinate him" and that the attack was in defence.
The police reported that "Andradthen described (Varun) as a threat to him, so he 'just reacted'."
However, when police talked to the gym 'Planet Fitness' staff they "indicated that (the victim) was a regular gym member and generally kept to himself, was quiet and reserved, nothing indicating that he was 'creepy'."
In his statement to the police, the assailant said that Varun, the victim, remained seated throughout the incident and only made physical contact to push him (the attacker) away after he had initiated the attack.
(With inputs from agencies)
