A 44-year-old Indian-American IT professional killed hiswife and two minor sons before committing suicide with a gun inside their homein the US state of Iowa, according to the police.
The West Des Moines Police Department, which is probing thecase, came to this conclusion after forensic autopsies were conducted onSunday.
The family of four was found dead under mysteriouscircumstances with gunshot wounds, shocking the community.
The bodies of Chandrasekhar Sunkara, Lavanya Sunkara, 41,their 15-year-old and a 10-year-old sons were found in their home on Saturdaymorning.
“The manners of death for Lavanya Sunkara and the twoboys are homicide. The manner of death for Chandrasekhar Sunkara issuicide,” the police said in a statement.
“The State Medical Examiner’s Office has determined thecauses of death for all four family members to be gunshot wounds,” theysaid.
The State Medical Examiner’s Office has determined thecauses of death for all four family members to be gunshot wounds.
“Officials are working with surviving family members toprovide support. Investigators are continuing to review evidence and conductinterviews,” the police added.
Chandrasekhar, known as Chandra, hailed from Andhra Pradesh.
The Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) said he was an ITprofessional in the Technology Services Bureau for the department.
“Our hearts and prayers go out to the family andfriends of the Sunkaras,” the DPS said in a statement.
Officers with the West Des Moines Police Department weresent on Saturday morning to the 900 block of 65th Street, where they found thebodies.
“This tragedy will impact family, friends, co-workers,anyone that knew this family,” Sergeant Dan Wade said in statement.
“We are continuing to work through this investigation.We will follow through until we have answered as many questions as the evidenceallows. We are confident, though, that there is no continuing threat to thecommunity,” Wade said.
Police said other family members, two adults and twochildren, were staying in the home as guests. When the bodies were discovered,one of the relatives ran outside looking for help and found a passerby, whocalled 911.
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is assisting inthe investigation.
“You don’t see something like this happen in the Indiancommunity, let alone a heinous act like this,” said Shrikar Somayajula whohas known the Sunkaras for over a decade.
“The family was a very friendly family and so it isreally painful,” said Somayajula.
“We have more questions than answers now as to why thishappened and we will probably never find out why this happened,” he said.