HOUSTON, TX – A young woman from Nepal, who traveled to the United States for her education, has been tragically killed, prompting an urgent search for her assailant. Houston police have released an image of the suspect, as the local Nepali community grapples with the loss.
Mona Pande, 21, was discovered dead in her apartment on Monday evening, a shocking event that has reverberated through the close-knit Nepali community in Houston. Pande had relocated to the city in 2021 to further her studies, and her sudden death has left her family and friends in deep sorrow.
Gautam, a member of the Nepalese Association of Houston, has been in constant communication with Pande’s grieving family in Nepal, particularly her distraught mother. “This is a tremendous loss for her, being her only child,” he said, underscoring the family’s anguish.
Before the police were alerted, the apartment complex staff received an anonymous tip about a body in Pande’s unit. Gautam and others who visited the scene observed no signs of forced entry, leading to speculation about how the suspect entered the apartment.
Houston police have circulated a photo of the suspect, who is believed to have been in the area days before Pande was found. Gautam noted that Pande’s phone, which was typically online, went offline after Saturday night, adding another layer of complexity to the investigation.
The news of Pande’s death has deeply affected the Nepali community, both on social media and at local venues like Kathmandu Curry and Bar, where she was a familiar face. Ram Skoda, who met Pande shortly after she arrived in Houston, remembered her as “intelligent, loyal, honest, and beautiful.”
The community is mobilizing to support Pande’s mother with travel arrangements, while friends and family are organizing a fundraiser to assist with travel and funeral costs.
As the investigation progresses, police are working tirelessly to capture the suspect and piece together the events leading to Pande’s death. The community remains hopeful for justice and answers for a life that ended far too soon.