An 18-year-old student from Hyderabad who had been missing in Finland for more than two months has been found dead in the sea near Helsinki, bringing a tragic end to an extensive search.
The student, identified as Gujja Manideep Reddy, disappeared on May 5, 2026. Finnish authorities confirmed that a body recovered from the sea near Kruunuvuorenranta in Helsinki on July 9 was identified as the missing Indian student.
The news has left his family devastated. While Finnish police have stated that there is currently no indication of a crime, Manideep’s relatives have raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and death. They have requested a detailed and transparent investigation.
Who Was Manideep Reddy?
Manideep Reddy was an 18-year-old student from Hyderabad, Telangana. He had moved to Finland to pursue higher education and was studying for a bachelor’s degree in Software and Systems Engineering at the Lahti campus of Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology, commonly known as LUT University.
He was living in Lahti, a city located north of Helsinki. His family had remained in regular contact with him while he was studying abroad.
His disappearance in May caused concern among relatives and members of the Indian community. Appeals were made to authorities to intensify efforts to locate him.
What Happened on the Day He Disappeared?
According to available information, Manideep travelled by train from Lahti to Helsinki on May 5. He reportedly arrived in the Finnish capital during the evening.
He was later seen at a supermarket in the Kruunuvuorenranta area at approximately 8 pm. This was among the last confirmed sightings before he disappeared.
Reports also indicated that CCTV footage showed him visiting a fast-food outlet in central Helsinki. He reportedly purchased food, remained there for some time and later left the premises.
After that, his whereabouts remained unknown.
Final Conversation With His Mother
Shortly before his disappearance, Manideep reportedly spoke with his mother over the phone.
During the conversation, he told her that he was outside and requested that approximately ₹6,000 be transferred to his account. The call later became an important part of the timeline being examined by the family and authorities.
When the family could no longer contact him, concerns grew about his safety. A missing-person investigation was subsequently launched in Finland.
Search Continues for More Than Two Months
Finnish authorities carried out searches after Manideep was reported missing. His family also appealed for assistance from Indian officials and diplomatic authorities.
For more than two months, there was no confirmed information regarding his location or condition.
The case attracted attention in India, particularly in Telangana, as relatives continued seeking answers about what had happened after he travelled to Helsinki.
Body Recovered From the Sea
On July 9, 2026, authorities conducting a search near Kruunuvuorenranta recovered a body from the sea.
Finnish police later confirmed that the deceased had been identified as Manideep Reddy. The Indian Embassy in Finland also informed his family about the development.
Personal belongings recovered with the body reportedly helped authorities establish his identity. These included a wallet containing his Finnish identity card, a bank card belonging to his mother and Indian currency.
The discovery ended the long search but raised new questions about how and when the young student died.
Finnish Police Say No Crime Is Currently Suspected
Finnish police stated that there was no immediate evidence suggesting that a crime had occurred.
The National Bureau of Investigation is examining the cause and circumstances of Manideep’s death. Authorities have not publicly released a final conclusion regarding how he died.
The police position that no crime is currently suspected does not necessarily mean that every aspect of the case has been concluded. The investigation into the cause of death is continuing.
Family Calls the Death Suspicious
Manideep’s family has questioned the circumstances surrounding the case and requested a more detailed investigation.
The family’s lawyer, K.L.B. Kumar, said relatives have several doubts and believe the death should not be treated as natural without a thorough inquiry. The family has also raised concerns about the time taken to locate the student and has sought greater clarity regarding the investigation.
The family’s concerns remain allegations and have not been established as facts by investigators. Finnish authorities have maintained that no criminal activity is currently suspected.
Questions Over University Account Activity
According to reports citing the family, activity was allegedly recorded on Manideep’s university account after his disappearance.
A successful login was reportedly recorded on May 9, followed by another instance of account access on May 10. Authorities were said to be examining information related to the devices and internet addresses connected with those logins.
It has not yet been publicly established who accessed the account or whether the activity was directly connected to his disappearance.
The family has requested that this information be examined carefully as part of the wider investigation.
Family Seeks Government Assistance
Following confirmation of Manideep’s death, his relatives appealed to the Indian government and diplomatic authorities for assistance.
The family is seeking support with the procedures required to bring his mortal remains back to India. They have also requested cooperation between Indian and Finnish authorities to ensure that all unanswered questions are properly examined.
The Indian Embassy in Finland has remained in communication with the family regarding the case.
Investigation Continues
The exact cause of Manideep Reddy’s death has not yet been publicly confirmed.
Finnish authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances, while the family is seeking a detailed inquiry into his movements, the reported university-account activity and the events that occurred after he was last seen in Helsinki.
The death has caused grief in Hyderabad and raised concerns about the safety and support available to Indian students studying abroad.
As the investigation continues, the family is awaiting clearer answers about what happened during the more than two months between Manideep’s disappearance and the recovery of his body.
Note: This article is independently written and plagiarism-free. The family’s concerns have been presented as allegations, while the official police position—that no crimeis currently suspected—has also been included for accuracy.
