Iraganaboyina Chandu, a 26-year-old from the Kurnool area of Andhra Pradesh, committed suicide in the United States after failing to find work after graduation.
He had recently completed his master’s degree from DePaul University in Chicago and had been searching for a job for several weeks, according to multiple reports. He had done his B.Tech. from CMR College of Engineering in Hyderabad.
Iraganaboyina Chandu, a 26-year-old from Andhra Pradesh, who went to the United States for higher studies but could not get a job afterwards, died by suicide in Chicago
— WION (@WIONews) May 1, 2026
He was reportedly distressed about being financially dependent on his family@ShreyaOpines has more pic.twitter.com/I7eGxTiOyt
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Joblessness, financial strain weigh heavily on young graduate
Chandu had been under significant emotional strain because of prolonged unemployment and the financial pressure it placed on his family back home.
His father works as a security guard, and Chandu was reportedly distressed about being dependent on his family while trying to build a career abroad. The family in Kurnool is now waiting for his mortal remains to be brought back to India.
A heartbreaking story out of Chicago. Iraganaboyina Chandu, a 26-year-old Indian student who came to the U.S. with dreams of building a better future, has died by suicide after reportedly struggling with unemployment, debt, and mounting emotional pressurehttps://t.co/RIAMU2TWty pic.twitter.com/yNjcHVXGwt
— NRI Pulse (@NRIPulse) May 1, 2026
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Diaspora support grows, ministers intervene in repatriation process
His community friends in the United States have organized a fundraiser to aid with repatriation expenses and to support Chandu's parents. The campaign’s target is USD 120,000, with the immediate goal of covering roughly USD 25,000 for transport, legal permits, and funeral home services.
Officials have also stepped in after a social media appeal, with Andhra Pradesh minister Nara Lokesh asking Union Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu to ensure the “smooth and hassle-free transport of the mortal remains.” Naidu said, “We will do our best to support the family in these tough times.”
He said that the government would make the best efforts to support the family in these tough times.
NDTV reported that more than USD 76,000 had been raised within two days. The body was expected to be airlifted home on Sunday, subject to logistics. No further details about the investigation into Chandu’s death have been made public so far.
