NRI Pulse Staff Report
Atlanta, GA, June 18, 2019: The West Des Moines police has determined the cause of the deaths of the Indian-American family of four found with gunshot wounds inside their home on June 15th as homicide-suicide.
Forensic autopsies determined that 44-year-old IT professional Chandrasekhar Sunkara killed his wife and two minor sons before committing suicide with a gun.
“Autopsies were conducted by the State Medical Examiner’s Office and the cause of death for the family members was determined to be gunshot wounds,” said a statement released by the police.
“The manners of death for Lavanya Sunkara and the two boys are homicide. The manner of death for Chandrasekhar Sunkara is suicide.”
Officials are working with surviving family members to provide support. Investigators are continuing to review evidence and conduct interviews.
Chandrasekhar Sunkara, Lavanya Sunkara 41, and their children aged 15 and 10 were pronounced dead at the scene.
Police earlier said other family members, two adults and two children, were staying as guests. One of the survivors ran outside looking for help. He found someone walking through the neighborhood and that person called 911.
Real estate records show the home had been owned by Lavanya and Chandrasekhar Sunkara since March 25.
The house is in a well-kept suburban neighborhood.