- Thursday, February 27, 2025
Initial findings from the investigation point towards Nagarajappa as the perpetrator of what is believed to be a double murder-suicide, as stated by Baltimore County Police spokesperson Anthony Shelton.
By: Shubham Ghosh
IN an unfortunate incident that has shocked both local and international communities, an Indian family consisting of an adult couple and their young child has been discovered deceased in Maryland, US. The authorities suspect a tragic case of double suicide-murder.
The victims, Yogesh H Nagarajappa (37), Prathiba Y Amarnath (37) and their six-year-old son Yash Honnal, originally hailed from the southern Indian state of Karnataka. They were found lifeless with gunshot wounds in their residence in Baltimore County on a Friday (18) afternoon. This grim discovery was made when the police responded to a welfare check.
Initial findings from the investigation point towards Nagarajappa as the perpetrator of what is believed to be a double murder-suicide, as stated by Baltimore County Police spokesperson Anthony Shelton.
“Based on the initial investigation, the incident is believed to be a double murder-suicide that Nagarajappa committed,” Baltimore County Police spokesperson Anthony Shelton was quoted as saying by The Baltimore Sun newspaper.
“Each appeared to suffer from an apparent gunshot wound,” he added.
The family was last seen alive on Tuesday (15) evening, and an autopsy is scheduled to ascertain the exact cause and manner of death.
Baltimore County executive Johnny Olszewski conveyed his condolences to the victims’ families and vowed support for both the bereaved families and the affected community.
“I am heartbroken and deeply saddened for the innocent victims whose lives were cut short by this horrific act. We will do everything possible to assist family and community members following this tragic incident,” a statement by Olszewski read.
It was reassured by the police that there is no apparent threat to neighbouring residents.
The family, originally from Hallekallu village in Jagalur Taluk of Davangere district of Karnataka, had resided in Baltimore, Maryland for nearly a decade. They left for the US following Nagarajappa’s marriage.
Nagarajappa’s mother Shobha, who stays in India, said her son had contacted her not long ago, conveying that everything was well.
“Police called my second son who stays in America over the phone and told him about the incident. He informed us about the incident but did not disclose the reason,” she was quoted as saying by the PTI.
She voiced her confusion and distress regarding the sudden tragedy, appealing to both the Narendra Modi government in Delhi and the Karnataka government for assistance in repatriating the bodies to India.
“It’s been three days since the incident happened. We have not seen the body,” Yogesh’s mother said. “Help us get the bodies. We have not seen the photos either.”
(With agency inputs)
