Ottawa: The Indian High Commission in Ottawa confirmed on Tuesday that an Indian student, who had been missing for four days, was discovered deceased under suspicious circumstances.
The student, identified as Vanshika, was reported missing after she left her residence to view a rental property.
Vanshika, the daughter of Devinder Singh, a leader of the Aam Aadmi Party from Dera Bassi in Punjab, had relocated to Ottawa two and a half years ago for her studies.
In a statement shared on social media platform X, the High Commission expressed their sorrow over Vanshika's passing, stating, "We are deeply saddened to be informed of the death of Ms. Vanshika, a student from India in Ottawa. The matter has been taken up with the concerned authorities, and the cause is under investigation as per local police. We are in close contact with the bereaved kin and local community associations to provide all possible assistance."
Vanshika was last seen on April 25, the day she left her home to check out a room, as noted by the Hindu Community in Ottawa in a letter to the Ottawa Police Service.
The Indian High Commission had previously posted on X, indicating they were in contact with local community associations and authorities regarding the missing student alert.
According to the community's letter, "Vanshika has been missing since the evening of Friday, April 25th, 2025, after leaving her residence at 7 Majestic Drive around 8-9 PM to view a rental room. Her phone was switched off at approximately 11:40 PM that night, and she missed an important exam the following day, which was completely out of character for her. Despite extensive efforts by her family and friends, there has been no contact or information about her whereabouts."
The community expressed their deep concern, stating, "We are deeply worried and, frankly, fearing the worst. The Hindu community in Ottawa is distressed, and the anxiety continues to grow with each passing hour. Given the troubling circumstances and the vulnerability of the missing person, we respectfully request your personal attention and intervention in this matter. We humbly urge the Ottawa Police Service to escalate this case, allocate appropriate resources, and prioritize the investigation into Vanshika's disappearance. A swift and thorough response could make a critical difference in ensuring her safe return."
