Indian-origin tech CEO, wife and son found dead in suspected murder-suicide in Washington

Three members of an Indian-origin family were found dead in a suspected murder-suicide at a townhouse in Newcastle, Washington.

According to the King County Medical Examiner’s Office, the deceased have been identified as Harshavardhana Kikkeri (44), his wife Shwetha Panyam (41), and their son Dhruva Kikkeri (14). Authorities say all three suffered fatal gunshot wounds.

Harshavardhana Kikkeri, the CEO of Holoworld, a robotics company based in Mysuru, India, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, the medical examiner confirmed. His death has been classified as a suicide, while the deaths of his wife and son have been ruled as homicides.

As per reports, King County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call at a townhouse located on 129th Place Southeast around 7 pm on Thursday, April 24. Upon arrival, deputies discovered evidence of violence, including blood smeared on a front window and a hollow-point bullet found in the street. Inside the home, they found the bodies of the three family members.

Sheriff’s spokesperson stated that investigators are treating the case as a suspected murder-suicide. However, the motive behind the tragic act is still under investigation.

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