Murder in Maryland: Indian American Couple and 6-Year-Old Son Dead in Apparent Homicide–Suicide
- Yogesh H. Nagarajappa, his wife, Prathiba Y. Amarnath and six-year-old Yash Honnal were found in their Maryland home and died from gunshot wounds.
An Indian American couple and their six-year-old son were found dead in their Towson, Maryland home in an apparent murder-suicide this past weekend. The victims, who died from gunshot wounds were identified as 37-year-old Yogesh H. Nagarajappa, 37-year-old Prathiba Y. Amarnath and 6-year-old Yash Honnal, according to a press release issued by the Baltimore County Police Department. It is believed that Nagarajappa killed his wife and child before killing himself.
Baltimore County Police Department (BCPD) spokesperson Anthony Shelton told media that the family members were reportedly last seen alive on Aug. 15 evening, adding that autopsies have not yet been completed.
Friends reportedly called the police on Aug. 18, as they were concerned about the family’s well-being, The Baltimore Sun reported. Officers conducted an “urgent welfare check” around noon and found the three people dead. “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,” Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. said in a statement.
The reason for the murder is not yet known, and investigation is ongoing. “Homicide is continuing its investigation into the circumstances of this incident, and more information may be released later once it becomes known,” the BCPD said in a statement to the Sun.
Nagarajappa’s mother told NDTV that her son got married nine years ago and that he and his family had been living in the United States since shortly after that. A GoFundMe, started by family members in India, describes the three deceased as “an embodiment of a joyous family.” Noting that “this unforeseen tragedy has left our family in profound grief,” family members say the funds collected will be used to repatriate the three bodies back to their ancestral home. “Our quest to repatriate their remains to India is overshadowed by overwhelming logistical and financial challenges.”