The body of a 22-year-old Indian student, missing since earlier this month, has been found in a river in Scotland and her family has been informed, while formal identification is awaited.
Santra Saju from Kerala had enrolled at Heriot-Watt University in the Scottish capital Edinburgh. Police Scotland said in a statement over the weekend that they were made aware of a body in a river near Newbridge, a village near Edinburgh.
“At approximately 11.55am on Friday, December 27, 2024, police received reports of a body found in water near Newbridge,” Police Scotland said.
“Formal identification is still to be done, however the family of 22-year-old Santra Saju has been informed. “The death is not being treated as suspicious,” police said.
The statement said a report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal, Scotland’s prosecution service and the death investigation body.
Saju was last caught on CCTV at an Asda supermarket store in Almondvale, Livingston, on the evening of 6 December.
An immediate missing person’s appeal was issued by the police, in which Saju was described as being approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall, of Indian ethnicity, with a slim body and short black hair.
He was wearing a black jacket with a fur-lined hood, beige furry earmuffs, and a black facemask. During interrogation it was also revealed that he was carrying a black rucksack. The police appeal encouraged anyone who recognizes him to come forward with any information.
Inspector Alison Lawrie, of Corstorphine police station, said in a statement at the time: “We now know that Sentra picked up a black and white shopper style bag from an address in Burnwell on Friday evening, but when she entered the supermarket her Didn’t have it.
“The bag is distinctive and someone may remember seeing him carrying it. We are continuing to review CCTV footage and have released photographs of Santra from the supermarket in the hope that someone will recognize him. Efforts to locate him Extensive inquiries are being made.” Her friends and family said the disappearance was out of character and they had become very concerned about her safety.
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