The Purdue University student found killed, allegedly by his roommate, in their dorm room on the Indiana school’s campus was remembered by loved ones as an amazing young man who was destined to go on to do great things in life.
According to reports, Varun Manish Choheda died in the year 2007. “multiple sharp force traumatic injuries” after an incident allegedly involving his roommate, 22-year-old Ji Min “Jimmy” Sha, unfolded in a room on the first floor of McCutcheon Hall, officials said.
Sha, a 22-year-old junior cybersecurity major and international student from Korea, was taken into custody on a murder charge after calling 911 around 12:45 a.m., alerting police to Chheda’s death, Purdue University Police Chief Lesley Wiete told reporters during a news conference Wednesday.
According to preliminary autopsy results, the manner in which he died was determined to be homicide.
“I believe this was unprovoked and senseless,”Wiete stated. She noted that both men were awake at time of incident.
Chheda was a 20-year-old from Indianapolis who was studying data science at the University. He was a senior.
“Losing a friend like Varun hurts hard,”His friend Arunabh Sinha wrote Facebook. Sinha stated that he and his sister were educated with Chheda for twelve years.
“Varun touched lives at every turn he took, from Sycamore, Park Tudor, and Purdue, to everywhere outside of school he was involved. He was destined to make a large impact in our world and while we have been robbed of this opportunity, I am still highly appreciative to have known him since 1st grade,”He wrote.
“As Varun’s friends and I have reflected on this great loss, we have recognized some key elements to what made him so special,” Sinha wrote.
Sinha went on to list Chheda’s many attributes, noting, “Varun was many things but above all, he was brilliant, humble, ethical, and family-driven.”
Chheda was often a mentor in academic settings. “consistently strived to be a better version of himself, and showed great respect towards everyone and their goals,” Sinha wrote.
His friend observed that he was just as motivated by morality than he was filial piety.
“Varun always chose to take the route of integrity,” Sinha wrote. “He would do what is right especially if no one was watching, from academics to chess and video games. He refused to take shortcuts and was willing to put in the effort to make the morally sound decision.
“Varun was an intelligent son to his parents and a shining role model to his younger sister.” Sinha continued. “As I saw how much he cared about Kavya, I was able to look up to him. His parents, Kavya and their families are all in our hearts.
“Rest in peace, Varun. We will miss you dearly,”He wrote.
Chheda was an alumnus of the Sycamore School, which he attended from kindergarten through eighth grade. He graduated in 2016 from the Sycamore School.
“We will miss him. Varun was a brilliant student, funny, and well liked by his classmates. He possessed admirable character traits that stemmed from a strong family,”Diane Borgmann is Sycamore’s Head School. In a statement.
Chheda gave a speech to his Sycamore School class at the Sycamore School’s graduation.
“What a class we are. Individually we have all achieved great heights, be it in music, art, science, math, literature, history, language, or sports,”He said. “Each of these achievements has not just been recognized at school, but at local, state, national, and even international levels. Sycamore provides an experience not found anywhere else. I have made many friends. Relationships have been built on mutual respect and admiration and I will cherish them. It is more than a school; it is a positive, healthy environment, where students, like young birds grow, and take flight.”
Chedda went on to attend the Indianapolis private school Park Tudor. “The entire Park Tudor community is incredibly saddened by the tragic loss of Varun Chheda, Park Tudor class of 2020. Our prayers are with his family at this difficult time,” Dennis Bisgaard, interim head of school, said in a statement to NBC News.
Wednesday’s statement was also issued by President of Purdue University, Mitch Daniels, to students and employees. The statement stated that “This is as tragic as we can imagine happening at our campus and our thoughts and prayers go out to all those who are affected by this horrible event.”
Authorities didn’t release any information on a possible motive. Investigations into the murder of Chheda are ongoing. According to records and authorities, Sha is being held in Tippecanoe county Jail on a preliminarily charged of murder without bond. Records showed that no bond has been established for Sha.