Srikanth family looking for closure
November 4 2009
The family of a missing Auckland student is looking for closure as the search for their beloved brother and brother-in-law continues.
Srikanth Rayadurgam, 23, a student of AUT, has been missing since Thursday October 1, when he was last seen leaving his sister, Padma Kakanoor’s, Mt Albert home to attend classes at the university.
His family has long suspected foul play in the disappearance since his personal belongings were found near the Westhaven Marina after Srikanth was reported missing.
“Every few days I talk to my parents in India (Hyderabaad) and they want answers,” Mrs Kakanoor told the Indian Weekender.
“Every day I tell them the same thing, but it’s hard for them to understand.
“Every day we are looking for answers, but there’s nothing, every day we hope someone one will come around with some answers,” Mrs Kakanor said.
Mrs Kakanoor said she appreciated the efforts of the police and the support of the Indian community in finding her brother, who was 10 years younger than her.
“He has always been like a son, and we are at a loss as to why and how this has come about.”
Mrs Kakanoor said she was still hopeful Srikanth would be found, so that there would be some closure for the family.
Police have confirmed to the Kakanoor family that a body found earlier this week in the Waitemata Harbour was not that of Srikanth.
Srikanth had been in the country since February to study for his Diploma in Hospitality studies while working as a part-time chef.
“It is totally out of character for him to have disappeared like this,” brother-in-law Nagesh Kakanoor told the Indian Weekender earlier last month.
“He was always friendly, bubbly and trustworthy – no issues at all. He was studying, working and was very happy.”
Srikanth, originally from Hyderabaad, was last seen by Mr Kakanoor’s nine-year-old son Rohit as he left their Prospera Terrace home to attend classes at AUT. Earlier, he had spoken to his sister by phone. He has another elder sister who lives in the United States.
“His parents in Hyderbaad are devastated,” Mr Kakanoor said.
Srikanth usually went to work at the Shahi Indian Restaurant at around 5pm, but the family later found out that he had been told to take a day off by the restaurant manager.
When Srikanth did not return home by 10pm, the family started getting worried and informed police at 1am as it was out of character for him to stay out without informing them.
The next day, a woman found Srikanth’s wallet near the Westhaven Marina, and contacted the family.
Mr Kakanoor said they later went down and found a shoe, business cards and his backpack (unzipped) in the water. On Saturday, they found Srikanth’s chef jacket in the water.
The police dive team spent whole day searching the Westhaven Marina area near where Srikanth’s belongings were found but were not able to find anything.
Agastya Pesara, president of the AUT Indian Students Association, said his members were concerned about Srikanth's welfare and appealed to members of the public to help with inquiries.
Anyone with any information on Srikanth please contact the nearest police station.
The family of a missing Auckland student is looking for closure as the search for their beloved brother and brother-in-law continues.
Srikanth Rayadurgam, 23, a student of AUT, has been missing since Thursday October 1, when he was last seen leaving his sister, Padma Kakanoor’s, Mt Albert home...
The family of a missing Auckland student is looking for closure as the search for their beloved brother and brother-in-law continues.
Srikanth Rayadurgam, 23, a student of AUT, has been missing since Thursday October 1, when he was last seen leaving his sister, Padma Kakanoor’s, Mt Albert home to attend classes at the university.
His family has long suspected foul play in the disappearance since his personal belongings were found near the Westhaven Marina after Srikanth was reported missing.
“Every few days I talk to my parents in India (Hyderabaad) and they want answers,” Mrs Kakanoor told the Indian Weekender.
“Every day I tell them the same thing, but it’s hard for them to understand.
“Every day we are looking for answers, but there’s nothing, every day we hope someone one will come around with some answers,” Mrs Kakanor said.
Mrs Kakanoor said she appreciated the efforts of the police and the support of the Indian community in finding her brother, who was 10 years younger than her.
“He has always been like a son, and we are at a loss as to why and how this has come about.”
Mrs Kakanoor said she was still hopeful Srikanth would be found, so that there would be some closure for the family.
Police have confirmed to the Kakanoor family that a body found earlier this week in the Waitemata Harbour was not that of Srikanth.
Srikanth had been in the country since February to study for his Diploma in Hospitality studies while working as a part-time chef.
“It is totally out of character for him to have disappeared like this,” brother-in-law Nagesh Kakanoor told the Indian Weekender earlier last month.
“He was always friendly, bubbly and trustworthy – no issues at all. He was studying, working and was very happy.”
Srikanth, originally from Hyderabaad, was last seen by Mr Kakanoor’s nine-year-old son Rohit as he left their Prospera Terrace home to attend classes at AUT. Earlier, he had spoken to his sister by phone. He has another elder sister who lives in the United States.
“His parents in Hyderbaad are devastated,” Mr Kakanoor said.
Srikanth usually went to work at the Shahi Indian Restaurant at around 5pm, but the family later found out that he had been told to take a day off by the restaurant manager.
When Srikanth did not return home by 10pm, the family started getting worried and informed police at 1am as it was out of character for him to stay out without informing them.
The next day, a woman found Srikanth’s wallet near the Westhaven Marina, and contacted the family.
Mr Kakanoor said they later went down and found a shoe, business cards and his backpack (unzipped) in the water. On Saturday, they found Srikanth’s chef jacket in the water.
The police dive team spent whole day searching the Westhaven Marina area near where Srikanth’s belongings were found but were not able to find anything.
Agastya Pesara, president of the AUT Indian Students Association, said his members were concerned about Srikanth's welfare and appealed to members of the public to help with inquiries.
Anyone with any information on Srikanth please contact the nearest police station.
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