Missing 22-year-old Kerala student found dead in Scottish river

The body of a 22-year-old Indian student who went missing earlier this month has been found in a river near Newbridge, Scotland. Santra Saju, originally from Kerala, India, was a student at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh. She was last seen on CCTV footage at an Asda supermarket in Almondvale, Livingston, on the evening of December 6.

Police Scotland confirmed that formal identification is still pending, but Saju’s family has been informed.

“Around 11.55 am on Friday, December 27, 2024, police were made aware of a body found in the water near Newbridge,” the statement said.

“The death is not believed to be suspicious. A report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal,” it added.

After Saju’s disappearance, police issued an urgent appeal for information, describing her as 5 feet 6 inches tall, of Indian ethnicity, slim build, with short black hair.

At the time of her last sighting, she was wearing a black jacket with a fur-lined hood, beige earmuffs, and a black facemask, and was carrying a black rucksack.

Inspector Alison Lawrie from Corstorphine Police Station had urged the public to come forward with information during the search.

“We now know that Santra picked up a black-and-white shopper-style bag from an address in Burnvale on Friday evening, but she did not have it when she entered the supermarket,” Lawrie said.

“The bag is distinctive, and someone may remember seeing her carrying it. We are continuing to review CCTV footage and have released images of Santra from the supermarket in the hope that someone recognises her. Extensive enquiries are being carried out in an effort to trace her,” she added.

Her family and friends, who had described her disappearance as completely out of character, had expressed deep concern for her safety.

With inputs from PTI