Phi Kappa Theta member dies

Carrie Tett

An Iowa State student was found dead Monday night in his apartment at 117 Beach Ave., according to Ames Police.

Ames Police said no foul play is suspected, but the investigation is still ongoing.

Kiran Bavikatte, 23, junior in pre-architecture from Bettendorf, was found unresponsive on the floor of a locked room in an apartment owned by Phi Kappa Theta, according to the police reports.

Bavikatte was a member of the fraternity.

The report also said Bavikatte had a history of epileptic seizures.

Reports show the police department received a call at 7:53 p.m. from the Phi Kappa Theta house, 2110 Lincoln Way.

Chris Rickert, senior in civil engineering and Phi Kappa Theta president, made the call.

Police, the fire department and an ambulance were dispatched at 7:58 p.m. and arrived at the scene at 8:01 p.m.

The report said a police officer concluded Bavikatte was dead soon after arriving at the residence.

Police Capt. Craig Reid said the investigation is still open, and no unnatural circumstances appear to be involved.

“In any active investigation we never release any speculation details like that until the investigation is completed,” Reid said.

Paul Gryte, Story County medical examiner, said the autopsy has been completed. However, he is awaiting test results before determining the cause of death.

“All of the things aren’t in yet,” Gryte said.

He said he could not give out much information until all the autopsy results had been received.

Gryte did say Bavikatte had been dead “probably 40 to 72 hours before he was found.”

Rickert said funeral services were held for Bavikatte Wednesday in Bettendorf.

“We went to [his] funeral today — where he was from,” Rickert said.

No other fraternity members could make a comment on the death, as the Bavikatte family requested the house not talk to the media.