Pune: Missing Social Media Influencer Found Safe in Warje Malwadi

Pune: A prominent social media influencer, known as ‘Mau’ with over 1.3 million Instagram followers, was found safe at a friend’s house in Warje Malwadi on Monday. The 26-year-old had been missing since June 15 after leaving behind a suicide note, prompting her family to file a missing complaint at Vishrambaug Police Station.

Incident Overview

The influencer, whose real name is Mayuri Chaitanya Modak-Pawar, lives with her mother in Sadashiv Peth and initially gained fame on TikTok before transitioning to Instagram after TikTok was banned in India. She also runs a clothing business and has a seven-year-old daughter.

Disappearance and Search Efforts

Mayuri left home around 7 pm on June 15 without informing anyone, leading to her family filing a missing person’s report. Concerned for her safety, the police formed five teams to locate her, including officers from the Crime Branch and Vishrambaug Police. The search involved reviewing CCTV footage and tracking her mobile phone.

Resolution

Police eventually traced her location to Warje Malwadi, where she was found at a friend’s house. She was taken into custody and handed over to her mother after a counseling session at the police station.

Context and Background

The influencer had recently been under significant stress due to morphed photos and videos of her being circulated via a fake Instagram account, which she had reported to the Vishrambaug police. This stress is believed to have contributed to her sudden departure.

The search operation was led by Sub-Inspector Santosh More under the guidance of Circle One Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Singh Gill, Assistant Commissioner Sainath Thombre, and Senior Inspector Deepali Bhujbal.