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Murdered Florida Student's Identity Confirmed

R S Shankar in Orlando

The medical examiner's office in Orange County verified on Wednesday, July 21, the identity of a murdered student as Deepa Agarwal.

The body of the 20-year-old University of Central Florida student was found stuffed inside a closet in an apartment several days after her friends and father from India tried to locate her.

They had started worrying when they did not see her or hear from her for about a week. Her body was discovered early this week.

It is not known where in India her family is. Police believe her father had returned to India after living in America for several years.

While the police say a missing male relative is still being sought for questioning, they would not give his name or confirm whether it is the same male who lived with Agarwal. At this point, the investigation is continuing, but there are no suspects, Corporal Angelo Nieves, a sheriff's spokesman, said.

Police wonder if the missing relative took out the red BMW car used by Agarwal. The car was found abandoned less than a mile from the victim's apartment.

"We are looking for a male to check on his well-being... and make sure he was not killed.'' Corporal Nieves said. Police also suspect that the relative was perhaps the last person to see Agarwal alive.

Agarwal's neighbours have told the police they had been hearing loud and prolonged arguments, and occasional shouting in her apartment throughout this month. But they did not think the matter warranted calling in the police.

The police have confirmed there was no forced entry into the apartment, so a robbery is ruled out.

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