Update on Nepalese student Muna Pandey: Suspect arrested in Houston

HOUSTON – Houston police have arrested a suspect in connection with the death of a 21-year-old Nepali student who was found shot to death in her apartment Monday night.

Muna Pandey, 21, was found dead in her apartment on West Airport Boulevard in southwest Houston around 5:30 p.m., friends said.

On Wednesday, Houston police released a surveillance photo of a man seen leaving the apartment on Saturday. While a suspect has been arrested and charged, his name has not been released and it is unclear if the man in the surveillance photo is the same person.

RELATED: Friends identify Nepali student Muna Pandey found shot to death in her Houston apartment

Members of Houston's close-knit Nepali community shared photos and details about Pandey's life with KHOU 11's Jason Miles.

According to Drona Gautam of the Nepalese Association of Houston, Pandey moved from Nepal to Houston to study in 2021. She was a student at Houston Community College.

He was stunned when he learned of her violent death.

“She had three gunshot wounds and was lying on the bed with her head down,” Gautam said. “Hopefully the investigation will give us an idea of ​​how this happened.”

He believes Pandey may have been killed days before her body was found because her mother in Nepal could not reach her.

“Mom said her phone was always online. After Saturday night, the phone was offline,” Gautam said.

When he and others visited the crime scene, there were no signs of a violent break-in.

Gautam said he was working with the Nepali consulate to coordinate Pandey's mother's trip.

“It is very unfortunate for her because she is her only child, she is her mother’s only child – so she is devastated,” Gautam told us.

Pandey's death sparked an outpouring in the Nepali community on social media and in places like Kathmandu Curry & Bar, where she was well known.

“This is very bad news,” said owner Ram Sapkota.

He met Pandey for the first time shortly after she arrived in Houston.

“She was very smart, loyal and honest. And you know, we lost her and we are very sad,” Sapkota told us.

Friends from the Nepali community have started an online fundraiser to help Pandey's family with travel and funeral expenses. Here is their GoFundMe campaign.