LAKE OZARK, Mo. — Authorities have identified the victims who drowned at Lake of the Ozarks as two men from India.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol said Sunday that the victims were 24-year-old Uthej Kunta and 25-year-old Shiva Kelligari.
Troopers were called at 2:40 p.m. Saturday to help search for two people in the water near Bagnell Dam. The patrol said Kelligari was in the water and began to struggle before going under. Kunta jumped into the water to try and rescue Kelligari.
One of the bodies was found about two hours later. The second body was recovered at about 9 a.m. Sunday.
Kunta and Kelligari were students at Saint Louis University.
Sarah K. Cunningham, vice president of student development at SLU, sent a message to members of the university following the news.
"It is with a heavy heart that I share some news with you involving the death of two of our School of Medicine students this weekend.
Uthej Kunta and Shiva Datta Keligari, two graduate students from our Health Data Science program, died this weekend after a tragic drowning incident at the Lake of the Ozarks. These two scholars came to SLU from Telangana, India.
We mourn with Uthej and Shiva’s friends and loved ones, their classmates and professors, the staff members who supported their journeys here at SLU, and all those who grieve."
Cunningham went on to share the following resources for students to help them during this difficult time:
- University Counseling Center (UCC): All students can utilize the University Counseling Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. A trained and licensed therapist is also available 24/7 by calling 314-977-TALK (8255) and pressing 9.
- Dean of Students Office: The Dean of Students Office supports students in navigating campus resources and can offer guidance managing health and wellbeing. Students can contact the Dean of Students Office via deanofstudents@slu.edu or 314-977-9378.
- Campus Ministry: The Eckelkamp Center for Campus Ministry can be reached at 314-977-2425, or by emailing campusministry@slu.edu. Campus Ministry’s doors –– on the first floor of Wuller Hall, in many of the residence halls and in room 207 of Caroline Hall on the South Campus–– are always open for you to stop in and pray or process.
- Center for Counseling and Family Therapy: Faculty from the Center for Counseling and Family Therapy welcome anyone from the SLU community. You can call 314-977-2505 to schedule an appointment from 12-8 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP): The EAP program offers help scheduling professional counseling for SLU employees by calling 800-859-9319. Please contact hr@slu.edu with questions.
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