A 20-year-old youth from Haryana’s Karnal district died in the United States after reportedly suffering a cardiac arrest, leaving his family devastated just two days after he assured them that he would repay their debts and rebuild their future.
The deceased, identified as Supandeep Singh, was working at a store in Sacramento, California. According to family members, he had returned to his accommodation after completing a work shift, had a meal and went to rest. When his roommates arrived later to pick him up for work and received no response despite repeated attempts to contact him, they broke open the door and found him unconscious inside the room.
He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Family members said they were informed about the tragedy by friends who were living with him in the United States. Preliminary medical information reportedly indicated that the death may have been caused by a heart attack.
The incident has plunged the family into grief, particularly because Supandeep was the sole son of the household and was seen as the family’s main hope for financial stability. Relatives said he had moved abroad nearly two years ago in search of better opportunities after the family sold around two acres of agricultural land to finance his journey.
According to his uncle, Gurdev Singh, Supandeep initially travelled to Canada before eventually reaching the United States through an irregular migration route. After spending some time in Canada, he relocated to Sacramento, where he found employment at a retail store and shared rented accommodation with other youths from Karnal.
Family members recalled that Supandeep had spoken to them only two days before his death. During the conversation, he reportedly reassured his mother, grandparents and relatives not to worry about the family’s financial burdens. He had promised to work hard, clear all outstanding debts, and one day repurchase the land that had been sold to support his overseas aspirations.
The emotional impact of those final words has deepened the family’s sorrow. Relatives said the young man had been determined to improve the family’s economic condition and fulfil responsibilities that fell on him after the death of his father nearly nine years ago.
His father, Gurdeep Singh, passed away when Supandeep was still a child. Since then, he was raised by his mother, along with the support of his uncle and grandparents. The family said all their hopes were centred on him, making the loss even more difficult to bear.
Following the tragedy, the family has appealed to the Central and Haryana governments, the Ministry of External Affairs, social organisations and members of the Indian community in the United States to help bring his mortal remains back to India. They said they wish to perform his last rites in his native village in the presence of family members and relatives.
The death has once again highlighted a growing pattern of tragedies involving youths from Karnal who travel abroad for employment or educational opportunities. Residents pointed out that several families in the district have suffered similar losses in recent months.
Among the recent cases, a Karnal resident lost his life in a road accident in Indiana, United States, while another youth reportedly died in Russia under unclear circumstances. A young man from the district was also killed in a fire at a food store in Texas, while others died in separate road accidents and medical emergencies overseas. In another incident, a Karnal youth working in Georgia, US, was shot dead.
The latest loss has renewed concerns among families whose children move abroad in pursuit of better livelihoods, often after making significant financial sacrifices. As relatives await assistance to bring Supandeep’s body home, the village remains in mourning over the untimely death of a young man whose dreams of supporting his family were cut short far from home.