The search for 17‑year‑old Gautham Rajanikanth, a high school student from South Fayette Township in the Pittsburgh area, has officially ended, authorities said. Local police confirmed that officers called off active efforts after searching for the Indian-American teenager following a missing person report.Rajanikanth was reported missing earlier this week. Police in South Fayette Township, Pennsylvania, issued a notice asking for public assistance in locating him. Officials said he was last seen on Sunday afternoon.The South Fayette Township Police Department released information about the search on their official channels. The alert included a photo of Rajanikanth and details about his last known clothing, which reportedly included a T‑shirt, light‑coloured pants and a grey backpack while he was out in the community.
On Monday evening, police updated their statement to say that the search had concluded. They did not provide further details about where he was located or what condition he was in when found. Officials thanked members of the public and other agencies for their help and support during the search.Authorities said no additional information was available at the time, and they did not immediately disclose whether foul play was suspected or whether Rajanikanth was found alive.
They also did not confirm his current status or condition.Moreover, last month, Saketh Sreenivasaiah, a 22‑year‑old Indian-origin student, was found dead in Lake Anza, Berkeley, California, after being reported missing for several days. He was a postgraduate student at the University of California, Berkeley, and had previously graduated from IIT Madras. Local authorities in Berkeley issued a missing-person alert when he was last seen on February 9, 2026. Police and county dive teams recovered his body on February 13, confirming his death. The Indian Consulate in San Francisco stated it was assisting his family with arrangements.
