Indian-American Kills Himself, Family Members Shot Dead: US Police

The family Sunkara hailed from Andhra Pradesh.

Photo used for representation.

(Photo: iStock)

An Indian-American IT professional committed suicide by shooting himself while his wife and two minor sons were shot dead inside their home in Iowa, the police said on Monday, 17 June, after the authorities conducted autopsies to unravel the mysterious death of all four members of the family.

The West Des Moines Police Department, which is probing the case, came to this conclusion after forensic autopsies were conducted on Sunday, 16 June.

The deceased have been identified as Chandrasekhar Sunkara (44), Lavanya Sunkara (41) and two boys aged 15 and 10, respectively, and the family hailed from Andhra Pradesh.

“The manners of death for Lavanya Sunkara and the two boys are homicide. The manner of death for Chandrasekhar Sunkara is suicide,” the police said in a statement.

“We are continuing to work through this investigation. We will follow through until we have answered ... we are confident that there is no continuing threat to the community.”

Sergeant Dan Wade

The statement added that there were other family members staying as a guest with the victims.

The police added, "Officials are working with surviving family members to provide support. Investigators are continuing to review evidence and conduct interviews.”

Dallas County Sheriff Chad Leonard said that Sunkara was issued a permit to carry weapons in April after passing a state background check.

When they discovered the bodies lying inside the house, one of the family members rushed outside and informed the police, the statement stated.