Missing for four days, Indian student found dead in Canada; family seeks probe
A native of Dera Bassi in Punjab, Vanshika had moved to Canada two and a half years ago to pursue a health sciences diploma
Vanshika Saini, a 21-year-old Indian student living in Ottawa, Canada, was found dead four days after she was reported missing.
A native of Dera Bassi in Punjab, Vanshika had moved to Canada two and a half years ago to pursue a health sciences diploma.
She was in her final semester and had just completed her exams when she went missing under mysterious circumstances.
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Embassy confirms death
The Indian High Commission in Ottawa confirmed the news of her death via a post on X (formerly Twitter). “We are deeply saddened to be informed of the death of Ms. Vanshika. The matter has been taken up with concerned authorities and the cause is under investigation as per local police,” the Embassy said.
The Embassy authorities added that they are in close contact with her family and local Indian community groups to provide all possible assistance.
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Call for swift action
Vanshika was last seen at around 8 to 9 pm on Friday (April 25) when she left her residence to check out a rental room.
Friends and family got worried after Vanshika's phone was consistently switched off.
Concern deepened after she failed to appear for an important exam the following day — something that was very unlike her.
According to a Facebook post by Ottawa Indo-Canadians Association, Saini's phone was switched off by 11.40 pm on Friday night.
The community expressed worry and urged the Ottawa police to ramp up the efforts to find the girl.
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Found on a beach
Local media reports state that Vanshika’s body was recovered from a beach in Ottawa. While the cause of death remains uncertain, an investigation is underway.
Her father Davinder Saini — a local AAP leader in Punjab's Dera Bassi and aide to MLA Kuljit Singh Randhawa — has expressed suspicion of foul play and demanded a thorough probe into her death.
He learned of her disappearance on April 25, when her friends contacted the family after being unable to reach her or find out where she was.
He had last spoken to Vanshika on April 22, after which her phone had been switched off.
