Sahaja Reddy Udumala, 24, a Cyber Security Master’s student from Hyderabad, tragically passed away after a house fire in Albany, New York, on December 4. She suffered burns on nearly 90% of her body and died despite medical efforts. Sahaja had moved to the U.S. just over a year ago to pursue her studies and volunteered as a cybersecurity analyst for a nonprofit. Her childhood friend Elizabeth shared memories of their close bond growing up in Ramanthapur. They reconnected recently on Instagram, but Elizabeth regrets not contacting her sooner. "I imagined how we would finally speak and share life updates," she said. "Now I keep thinking… I should have just texted her. That regret is killing me." Sahaja's family is preparing for her final journey home. Her cousin Rathna Gopu launched a fundraiser to cover funeral, repatriation, and medical expenses. Over $109,000 has been raised toward the $120,000 goal. The Albany Police Department reported that several people were trapped inside the burning house when officers arrived. Four adults were rescued and treated for severe injuries; two were moved to a specialized burn center. Sahaja’s death has left friends and family heartbroken, remembering her as a bright and friendly soul with a promising future. Elizabeth reflected, "Every corner here holds a memory. To see her charred body now is so painful."