Indian student Dhawan dies in Illinois: authorities confirm hypothermia and alcohol intoxication

The mysterious death of 18-year-old Indian-origin University of Illinois student Akul B Dhawan has been attributed to hypothermia, with authorities revealing that acute alcohol intoxication also significantly contributed to his demise. Found lifeless outside a campus building on January 20, Dhawan's death prompted the dispatch of Arrow Ambulance, Urbana Fire Department, and the University of Illinois Police Department following a report of an unresponsive male on a porch around 11 am.

Autopsy Results

An autopsy performed on January 23 confirmed that hypothermia was the cause of Dhawan's death. Champaign County Coroner Stephen Thuney stated, "Acute alcohol intoxication and prolonged exposure to extremely cold temperatures significantly contributed to his death," ruling the incident accidental.

Last Known Movements of Dhawan

University of Illinois Police Department's investigation unveiled that Dhawan had been with friends until around 9 pm on January 19, where they consumed alcohol. Subsequently, security footage showed Dhawan consuming more alcohol at a local club in Urbana around 10 pm.

Dhawan made attempts to Enter Club

Despite trying to re-enter the club with his friends around 11:31 pm, Dhawan was denied entry. Multiple attempts by venue staff and a passerby to convince him to accept rides from two different rideshare vehicles were declined by Dhawan around midnight.

Concerns in the Indian Community

Dhawan's tragic demise adds to a series of recent deaths among Indian and Indian-origin students, causing concern within the community. With incidents like Vivek Saini's death in Georgia and Sameer Kamath's self-inflicted gunshot wound in Indiana, leaders emphasize the need for safety awareness among Indian students.Mohan Nannapaneni, founder of TEAM Aid, expressed the tragedy of Indian students getting into trouble, highlighting the need for awareness and safety measures. Prem Bhandari, chairman of Jaipur Foot USA, supports the idea of students registering with embassies and consulates for emergency contact.

The untimely loss of Akul B Dhawan underscores the challenges faced by students, urging a collective effort to prioritize safety and well-being in the Indian student community abroad.

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