'Blood on window, bullet on street': How Mysuru techie CEO Harshavardhana Kikkeri kills wife and son before taking his own life in US

Time of India

30-04-2025

A Mysuru-based entrepreneur,
Harshavardhana Kikkeri
, allegedly shot and killed his wife and their teenage son before dying by suicide at their home in Newcastle, near Washington, US, on April 24. The local police discovered the bodies after responding to a 911 call. The couple's younger son, who was not at home at the time, survived.
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According to The Seattle Times, police found blood on a window and a bullet in the street before entering the house, where they discovered three bodies. The King County medical examiner's office has ruled the deaths of 41-year-old Shwetha and the 14-year-old boy as homicides. Harshavardhana's death was classified as suicide.
Police investigation underway; motive not yet confirmed
Law enforcement authorities have not revealed any motive in the case. The King County Sheriff's Office has not confirmed whether the deaths are being formally investigated as a murder-suicide. Investigators have not released further details about events leading up to the incident or any possible signs of distress.
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Sheriff's spokesperson Brandyn Hull confirmed to The Seattle Times that officers responded to a 911 emergency call at the family's townhouse in King County. The presence of bloodstains and a discharged bullet outside the home raised concerns before the bodies were found.
Mother travels to US, family in Mysuru in shock
A family friend in Mysuru confirmed the news and said Harshavardhana's mother, Girija, has travelled to the US following the incident. His elder brother, Chethan, had recently returned to Mysuru from the US and has been informed. The friend said the family is in shock and is not prepared to speak to the media at this time.
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The family is originally from Kikkeri village in KR Pet taluk of Mandya district in Karnataka. Harshavardhana's father, Kikkeri Narayana, was a well-known linguist and progressive activist in the region. The family has strong academic and professional roots in Karnataka.
Founder of tech startup impacted by Covid
Harshavardhana had previously founded HoloWorld, a robotics company headquartered in Mysuru. The startup shut operations during the Covid-19 pandemic, and the couple moved back to the US. According to the family friend, Harshavardhana had not returned to Mysuru since 2022.
Details about the couple's life in the US in recent years remain limited. There is no information yet on whether the family had faced any financial or personal difficulties after relocating. Police have not commented on whether any prior domestic complaints or disturbances were reported.
Community response muted as investigation continues
The local Indian community in Washington has not issued a formal statement. Authorities are yet to announce any plans for the repatriation or funeral arrangements of the deceased. The case has drawn attention in Indian news and among diaspora groups, but officials have urged the public to wait for verified updates.
Such incidents involving Indian-origin families in the US are rare but have raised concern among immigrant groups. Community leaders have called for awareness and support systems to help families in distress, especially those recently resettled or impacted by financial or business losses.
Similar incident last month in Virginia highlights growing concern
In March, a 24-year-old Indian woman, Urmi Patel, and her 56-year-old father, Pradeep Patel, were shot dead at a convenience store in Accomack County, Virginia, where they were employed. According to local reports, the accused, George Frazier Devon Wharton (44), entered the store early morning and asked why it had been shut the previous night. He then opened fire.
Pradeep Patel died at the scene while Urmi was taken to a hospital and later died from her injuries. The store was owned by a relative, Paresh Patel, who confirmed to WAVY TV that the victims were his family members. 'My cousin's wife and her dad were working this morning. Some guy came here and just shot. I don't know what to do,' he said.
The Patel family had moved from Gujarat's Mehsana district to the US about six years ago. Pradeep's wife Hansaben also worked at the store. The family has two other daughters—one living in Canada and the other in Ahmedabad. A relative in Mehsana, Chandu Patel, told reporters that they learnt of the shooting from news reports and a viral video. 'We spoke to his daughter and she told us everything,' he said.
Indian community in US expresses concern over safety
While the two incidents are unrelated, both involve Indian-origin families affected by sudden acts of gun violence in the US. The tragedies have prompted renewed discussion around safety measures, mental health support, and the need for community outreach programs for Indian immigrants.
The Indian diaspora in the US has been growing steadily over the years, with many families working in small businesses, technology, and service industries. Community organisations have called for better integration and support networks to address emotional and professional stress faced by immigrant families.
Law enforcement in both Washington and Virginia are continuing their investigations. The Indian missions in the US have not yet issued statements on either case.