An 18-year-old student from Hyderabad who had been missing in Finland for more than two months has been found dead near Helsinki, bringing a tragic end to an international search effort that had drawn the attention of both Indian and Finnish authorities.
Gujja Manideep Reddy, a student pursuing higher education in Finland, was reported missing on May 5, 2026. According to authorities, he was last seen in the Kruunuvuorenranta area of Helsinki before contact with him was lost.
The student's disappearance prompted extensive search operations by Finnish authorities. The matter also reached the Telangana High Court after his parents sought intervention, expressing concerns over the pace of the investigation and seeking assistance from the Indian government.
On July 11, the Indian Embassy in Finland informed the family that a body recovered from the sea near Helsinki had been identified as Manideep Reddy. Finnish police subsequently confirmed the identification.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Finland is examining the cause of death. While some reports indicate that Finnish authorities do not presently suspect a crime, the student's family has expressed concerns and sought a comprehensive probe into the circumstances leading to his death.
The case had earlier witnessed legal developments in India, with the Telangana High Court seeking responses from the Central Government regarding efforts being undertaken to trace the missing student. Finnish authorities had also transferred the investigation to the National Bureau of Investigation, the country's premier investigative agency.
The incident has reignited discussions on international cooperation in missing-person cases involving Indian students studying abroad. The family has requested assistance from Indian authorities for travel and further engagement with Finnish officials as the investigation progresses.
The cause of death remains under investigation, and authorities have not released further details pending completion of the inquiry.