Latest news with #HarshavardhanaSKikkeri
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First Post
30-04-2025
- First Post
The horrific tale of the Indian techie in US who killed wife, son and then died by suicide
Harshavardhana S Kikkeri, the CEO of robotics company HoloWorld, is believed to have shot and killed his wife and one of his sons before taking his own life at his home in US' Newcastle. The Indian techie from Mysuru rose to fame for his AI-powered Holosuits and often delivered talks on robotics. He even met PM Narendra Modi to pitch the use of robotic solutions for strengthening border security read more Harshavardhana S Kikkeri, the CEO of HoloWorld is believed to have shot and killed his wife and one of his sons at their Newcastle home before taking his own life. Image courtesy: X/@knharsha In a shocking case from the United States, an Indian tech entrepreneur is believed to have shot and killed his wife and one of his sons before taking his own life. Harshavardhana S Kikkeri, the CEO of HoloWorld — a robotics firm headquartered in Mysuru — was found dead inside his home in the US, along with his wife, Shwetha Panyam, 44, and their 14-year-old son, identified as Dhruva Kikkeri, on April 24, according to the Seattle Times. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The couple's younger child, a seven-year-old boy, was the only one from the family who survived, as he wasn't home at the time of the tragic incident. Once celebrated for his contributions to robotics and tech innovation, Kikkeri's story ended in tragedy, leaving behind a devastated family and a trail of questions that are yet to be answered. Here's what we know so far. Who was Harshavardhana Kikkeri? As reported by Deccan Herald, Harshavardhana S Kikkeri hailed from KR Pet Taluk in Mandya, Karnataka. He pursued his education in Mysuru before heading to the United States, where he completed a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering from Syracuse University. A specialist in robotics, Kikkeri had also worked with Microsoft earlier in his career. In 2017, he returned to India and, along with his wife Shwetha Panyam, co-founded HoloWorld. Just a year later, he gained attention for inventing the HoloSuit, an AI-powered full-body motion capture suit that functioned as a virtual trainer. In 2017, Harshavardhan Kikkeri returned to India and, along with his wife Shwetha Panyam, co-founded HoloWorld. Image courtesy: HoloWorld The suit had applications across multiple sectors — from sports and education to healthcare and its products were exported to several countries, including the US, UK, and Israel. Cricketer Yuvraj Singh was their brand ambassador, as per information available on the company's website. At the peak of his professional success, Kikkeri even met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to pitch the use of robotic solutions for strengthening border security, reports the Indian Express. In 2022, he and his family relocated back to the US. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to a TEDx Talk description on YouTube, Kikkeri had received multiple honours, including a Gold Star from Microsoft, an Excellence Award from Infosys, and the Bharat Petroleum Scholarship. The video description claimed he held 44 international patents spanning the US, Europe, China, and Japan, and had also won several chess tournaments. He was also an active member of The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) community and often spoke on topics related to innovation and robotics. Despite the promising start, HoloWorld eventually shut down in 2022. However, its social media presence remained active on social media until November 2023. How Kikkeri's life took a dark turn On the evening of April 24, authorities responded to a 911 call reporting a shooting at the Kirkkeri family's townhouse on 129th Place Southeast, in Newcastle, Washington state. Upon arrival, deputies discovered blood on a window and a bullet in the street along with the bodies of Harshavardhana Kikkeri, his wife Shwetha, and their 14-year-old son, Dhruva Kikkeri. The King County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed that Shwetha and Dhruva died from gunshot wounds. Police have not revealed the motive behind the crime and refused to comment on whether it was a case of murder-suicide. However, the medical examiner's office classified Shwetha and Dhruva's deaths as homicides and stated that Harshavardhana died by suicide, according to _Seattle Times. T_he couple's younger son, 7, is the only survivor. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Neighbours said the family of four was friendly but kept to themselves. An investigation is underway, said the police. With input from agencies
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Time of India
Indian techie kills wife, son, then shoots himself in US home
An Indian-origin tech entrepreneur from Mysuru allegedly shot and killed his wife and one of his sons before taking his own life at their home in Newcastle, Washington, on April 24. The victims have been identified as Harshavardhana S Kikkeri , 57, his wife Shwetha Panyam , 44, and their 14-year-old son. The family had been living in the US for several years, The Renton Reporter noted. According to the King County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a 911 call on the evening of April 24 and discovered three bodies inside the family's townhouse in the 7000 block of 129th Street SE. Harshavardhana's wife Shwetha and their son died from gunshot wounds and their deaths were ruled as homicides, while he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, which was classified as a suicide, the King County Sheriff's Office reported. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play this game for 3 minutes, if you own a mouse Undo The motive behind the crime is yet to be revealed. The couple's younger son survived the incident. Harshavardhana, originally from Kikkeri village in Karnataka's Mandya district, was CEO of HoloWorld, a now-closed robotics company based in Mysuru. He co-founded HoloWorld with his wife in 2017 after moving back to India. The company, which focused on AI and robotics and was shut down in 2022. Local neighbors were stunned. 'A young family lived in the home,' said Cathy Dunbar in an interview with KOMO News. Deputies remained at the scene until early morning hours following the discovery. Harshavardhana, a graduate of Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering in Mysuru had earlier worked with Microsoft in US, focusing on robotics.
News18
29-04-2025
- News18
Indian Tech Entrepreneur Dies By Suicide After Killing Wife, Son In US
Last Updated: One of their sons escaped the tragedy as he was away from home when the incident occurred. An Indian tech entrepreneur allegedly shot dead his wife and one of his sons at their home in the United States last week, before taking his own life, said the police. According to the police, the deceased has been identified as Harshavardhana S Kikkeri (57), his wife, Shwetha Panyam (44), and their 14-year-old son. The incident, which was reported from Newcastle in Washington, took place on April 24. One of their sons escaped the tragedy as he was away from home when the incident occurred. News broadcasters at the scene saw investigators escorting a child from the home and providing comfort. The King County Sheriff's Office has not yet released the identities of the children. It is not immediately clear, said the cops, as to what the provocation was for the extreme act. An investigation into the matter is underway, said the police. According to multiple media reports, which quoted neighbours, the family was described as friendly but reserved. Harshvardhan S Kikkeri, who hailed from KR Pet Taluk of Mandya district, was the founder and CEO of HoloWorld, a robotics company headquartered in Mysuru. His wife was the company co-founder. The entrepreneur, at the peak of his success, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to propose utilising robots for border security purposes. In 2017, he and Shwetha returned to India and co-founded HoloWorld. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the company folded in 2022, and the tech entrepreneur returned to the US. The man, an expert in robotics, had also worked for Microsoft in the US. Suicide Prevention. News 18. If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata) Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: April 29, 2025, 21:46 IST
Hindustan Times
29-04-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Indian-origin tech CEO Harshavardhana Kikkeri, wife and 14-year-old son found dead at Newcastle home
A 57-year-old Indian-origin tech entrepreneur from Mysuru was found dead along with his wife and son in Washington's Newcastle last week, Deccan Herald reported. CEO of HoloWorld, a robotics company headquartered in Mysuru, Harshavardhana S Kikkeri was found dead along with his wife and co-founder Shwetha Panyam, 44, and their 14-year-old son, identified as Dhruva Kikkeri by Seattle Times. Police responded to a 911 call last week at a townhouse in King County where they found blood on a window and a bullet in the street along with three bodies, King County sheriff's spokesperson Brandyn Hull told Seattle Times. Police have not revealed the motive behind the crime and refused to comment on whether it was a case of murder-suicide. However, the medical examiner's office classified Shwetha and Dhruva's death as homicides and stated that Harshavardhana died by suicide, according to Seattle Times. Neighbours said the family of four kept to themselves and lived in the townhouse, with the couple's younger son 7, being the only survivor. Tech entrepreneur Harshavardhana Kikkeri hailed from Manya's Kikkeri village and studied in Mysuru and US, Deccan Herald reported. He held a Masters degree in Electrical Engineering from Syracuse University and had worked with Microsoft, specialising in robotics. In 2017, he returned to India and co-founded HoloWorld with his wife Shwetha. The company ended operations in 2022, as per Indian Express, however, its social media accounts were last updated in November 2023. Kikkeri and his family went back to US in 2022. He made headlines for creating HoloSuit – an AI enabled full body motion capture suit which acts as a virtual trainer for your body. According to the description of a TedX talk by Kikkeri on YouTube, he won numerous leadership awards including Gold Star from Microsoft, Excellence Award from Infosys, Bharat Petroleum Scholarship and several chess tournaments. The video description also claimed that he held 44 international patents from the US, Europe, China, Japan among others.
NDTV
29-04-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Indian Tech Entrepreneur Kills Wife, Son, Then Dies By Suicide In US
An Indian tech entrepreneur allegedly shot dead his wife and one of his sons at their home in the United States last week, said the police. The man, said cops, then died by suicide. The incident, which was reported from Newcastle in Washington, took place on April 24. Another son of the couple survived as he was not at home at the time of the incident. The dead have been identified as Harshavardhana S Kikkeri (57), his wife, Shwetha Panyam (44), and their 14-year-old son. News broadcasters at the scene reported seeing a child being escorted from the home and comforted by investigators. The King County Sheriff's Office has not yet released the identities of the children. It is not immediately clear, said the cops, as to what the provocation was for the extreme act. An investigation is underway, said the police. Several media reports, quoting neighbours, described the family as friendly but reserved. Harshvardhan S Kikkeri, who hailed from KR Pet Taluk of Mandya district, was the founder and CEO of HoloWorld, a robotics company headquartered in Mysuru. His wife was the company co-founder. In 2017, he and Shwetha returned to India and co-founded HoloWorld. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the company folded in 2022 and the tech entrepreneur returned to the US. At the height of his popularity, the entrepreneur met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to pitch using robots for border security. The man, an expert in robotics, had also worked for Microsoft in the US.
