Who was Kaushik Sharma? Indian-origin NJ resident drowns during family picnic; GoFundMe launched to support family

Kaushik Sharma, 41, drowned while paddleboarding at Lake Hopatcong during a family outing, leaving behind his wife and children.

Published on: Aug 21, 2026, 18:44:13 IST

By Shweta Kukreti

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A family outing at Lake Hopatcong turned tragic when 41-year-old Kaushik Sharma, a resident of Edison, drowned while paddleboarding, leaving his wife and two young children behind.

Kaushik Sharma is survived by his wife and two kids,

Sharma passed away on Sunday, August 16, at Hopatcong State Park in Roxbury Township, as per the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.

Kaushik Sharma death probe

According to authorities, the incident was reported around 2:30 p.m. after bystanders observed a paddleboard that was unattended and alerted a lifeguard stationed nearby. The lifeguard subsequently informed first responders about a potential drowning.

Investigators suspect that Sharma had been paddleboarding in an area lacking lifeguard supervision. A coordinated search involving multiple agencies was initiated, and at approximately 7 p.m., Sharma was discovered dead in the water by the New Jersey State Police Technical Emergency and Mission Specialists unit.

The Morris County Medical Examiner's Office was anticipated to perform an examination. The incident is still being investigated by the New Jersey State Park Police and the New Jersey State Police. Officials have stated that foul play is not suspected.

Also Read: Indian family in US sells Fremont residence, ready to shift back to Gujarat after 15 years

Kaushik Sharma dies: GoFundMe launched for family

A GoFundMe campaign initiated by Rakesh Ahirwar said that Sharma passed away while partaking in a family picnic and portrayed him as a kind, generous, and compassionate man who was always reliable in assisting others.

“His sudden passing has left his wife, two young children, friends, and neighbors grieving an unimaginable loss,” the fundraiser said.

The fundraiser further mentioned that Sharma was recognized within the Edison, BAPS, Edison School PTO Board, and Gujarati communities, which have united to assist his family in the wake of his passing.

Additionally, it highlighted that Sharma’s family is residing in the United States on dependent visas, presenting another practical challenge as they navigate through this difficult time. The fundraiser does not clarify the specific visa category or offer more information regarding the family’s immigration situation.

The funds collected are aimed at helping to cover funeral costs and the family’s living expenses in the forthcoming days.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shweta Kukreti
Shweta Kukreti has over 8 years of experience in covering Indian and world politics. She joined the Hindustan Times in 2024 and is primarily assigned to the US desk. She currently works as Deputy Chief Content Producer and reports on a wide range of topics, including US politics, immigration issues (especially H-1B visa) and major global events. Shweta strongly emphasizes team operations, which encompasses monitoring news, delegating tasks, editing, developing comprehensive coverage strategies, and crafting engaging, and data-informed narratives. She received the Digi Star Award at the Hindustan Times within a year of joining for her broad coverage of US politics. In 2025, she earned both a promotion and a redesignation, a significant achievement recognising her contributions and the strong value she brings to the team. She has previously worked with the Indian Express, HTDS, ANI and Republic World. Seniors in all the media organisations recognised her work. Regarding education, she earned a BA (Hons.) in Political Science and a master's degree from Delhi University, and she pursued a PG Diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institution of Mass Communication (IIMC). She also holds a diploma in Women's Empowerment and Development from IGNOU University and a French certification course from Alliance Française de Delhi. If not working, you can find her exploring the hills and engaging in adventurous activities in Rishikesh and Himachal Pradesh. She loves to play badminton, volleyball, and chess, and spend time with her friends and family. She also enjoys spiritual activities.Read More

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