safety
Family says recent UNT grad saved friends before drowning in East Texas
By Allie Spillyards at NBC DFW
· June 9, 2026
· 2 min read
The University of North Texas community is remembering a recent graduate after a weekend celebration with friends ended in tragedy. 22-year-old Anurup Koduru drowned during an East Texas getaway. It was just a month ago that Ashrith Koduru was walking UNT’s campus with his brother, celebrating Anuru
Key takeaway 22-year-old Anurup Koduru drowned during an East Texas getaway.
Why this matters in The Fort Worth
The tragic loss of Anurup Koduru, a recent University of North Texas graduate, resonates deeply in the Fort Worth community, where many students from UNT reside and work. As a public safety officer for UNT Police, Koduru demonstrated a commitment to serving others, a trait that ultimately led to his heroic actions in East Texas. His story serves as a poignant reminder of the risks associated with water activities in North Texas and beyond, where lakes and rivers are popular destinations for recreation. The fact that Koduru was familiar with the Toledo Bend Dam area, yet still met with tragedy, underscores the importance of vigilance and safety precautions, even for experienced individuals. As the community comes together to support Koduru's family, it is a somber reminder to prioritize water safety and appreciate the sacrifices made by those who put others before themselves.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC DFW . The Fort Worth surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC DFW . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 9, 2026 ·
Source: NBC DFW ·
Reading time: 2 min
newsletter" aria-label="Newsletter signup" style="margin:24px 0;padding:20px 24px;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#1e3a5f 0%,#2d5a8c 100%);border-radius:10px;color:#fff">
Get more The Fort Worth stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering safety and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The University of North Texas community is remembering a recent graduate after a weekend celebration with friends ended in tragedy. 22-year-old Anurup Koduru drowned during an East Texas getaway. It was just a month ago that Ashrith Koduru was walking UNT’s campus with his brother, celebrating Anuru
When was this published? This article was first published on June 9, 2026 by NBC DFW and curated for The Fort Worth readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Allie Spillyards at NBC DFW. To learn more about how The Fort Worth selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Fort Worth, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter