On Oct. 5, 2022, data science student Varun Manish Chheda was brutally murdered by fellow Purdue student, Ji Min (Jimmy) Sha, and was found dead in a dorm room on McCutcheon Hall. Sha, a 22-year-old cybersecurity major from Seoul, South Korea, faces one count of murder in the killing, and could face 45-60 years behind bars if convicted.

Chheda was found dead in a chair surrounded by a “blood splatter on the wall, a pool of blood, and a folding knife on the floor.” 

Prosecutors stated that Sha had stabbed Chheda with a folding knife while the victim was playing video games with his friends, where they heard him screaming through Discord. Blood was found on Sha’s clothes before he was arrested. 

Sha was held in Tippecanoe County Jail, Indiana on bond after the murder charge. He later made his first court appearance on Oct. 7.

Sha admitted that the knife was his, and he had called 911 after he stabbed Chheda, and stayed at the crime scene until the police arrived.

When asked why he committed the murder, his only words were “I was blackmailed,” and “I am very sorry.” not elaborating any further on either remark.

Along with his friends and family, the Purdue community is mourning Chheda’s death. The evening of the death, hundreds gathered at Purdue for a vigil at the Unfinished Block P sculpture, which honors the students who don’t get to finish their experience at the university. 

Shortly after, University President Mitch Daniels announced that students will be provided with counseling and psychological services they may need after this traumatic incident. 

While there is nothing that can be said to ease the pain, Chheda will be remembered fondly by his peers for his kindness, hard work ethic, and intelligence.