A 24-year-old student from Andhra Pradesh pursuing a master’s degree in the US state of Texas has been reported missing after undertaking a solo winter trip to Alaska during the Christmas holiday period. The student, identified as Karasani Hari Krishna Reddy, is a native of Guntur district and had travelled to Alaska on December 22 with plans to return within two weeks, according to information shared by his friends.
Reddy, who was studying in Texas, had informed his friends and roommates that he intended to explore Alaska independently during his academic break. He reportedly relied entirely on public transport for his journey, as he did not drive. Friends said he appeared confident about the trip and maintained regular communication in the initial days after his departure.
According to those in contact with him, Reddy last spoke to his family and friends on December 30. His mobile phone signal was last traced on December 31 in the Denali area, where he had checked into a hotel. After that date, his phone was switched off, raising initial concerns. However, his friends initially assumed the lack of contact was due to limited mobile network coverage in Alaska’s mountainous and remote regions.
When Reddy failed to return to Texas by January 4, as he had indicated earlier, his friends grew increasingly worried. A review of his financial records reportedly showed a transaction involving a local cab service after December 31, suggesting that he was still moving within Alaska at that time. No further confirmed activity has been detected since then.
Alaska police later issued a statement confirming that the student had not contacted anyone after December 30 and did not arrive back in Texas as expected on January 5, 2026. Authorities have urged members of the public to come forward with any information that may help determine his whereabouts. Efforts are ongoing to trace his movements in the days following his last confirmed location in Denali.
The Andhra Pradesh Non Resident Telugu Society has said that Reddy’s family had not formally approached them for assistance, but added that coordination was underway with local contacts in the United States to support information-sharing efforts.
Alaska is known for its extreme winter conditions, particularly during late December and early January. Temperatures in several regions can drop dramatically, and during the period between December 31 and January 1, some areas recorded temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius. Due to these harsh conditions, winter travel in Alaska is generally considered challenging, especially for solo travellers unfamiliar with the terrain and climate.
Friends and well-wishers have taken to social media to circulate details of Reddy’s disappearance, hoping to reach a wider audience and generate leads. Authorities continue to investigate the case, while the student’s family and community await updates amid growing concern over his safety.
