Indian Tech Entrepreneur Allegedly Murders Family Before Suicide in the US

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In a tragic incident on April 24, 2025, an Indian tech entrepreneur, Harshavardhana S Kikkeri, reportedly shot and killed his wife, Shwetha Panyam, and their 14-year-old son before taking his own life at their home in Newcastle, Washington. The couple's other son survived as he was not present during the attack, according to the King County Sheriff's Office.

Neighbors described the family as friendly yet reserved, and the motive behind this shocking act remains unclear. An investigation is currently underway. Kikkeri, originally from Karnataka, co-founded HoloWorld, a robotics company that folded in 2022 after facing challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. He had previously worked at Microsoft in the United States and had even presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about using robotics for border security.

The incident highlights concerns about mental health and domestic violence, echoing broader societal issues. The police have not disclosed the identities of the surviving children as they continue to provide support to the family during this difficult time.

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