Police: Murder-suicide ruled for family of four

Chandrasekhar and Lavanya Sunkara.

ASAM NEWS

Authorities said Monday (June 17) that the family of four found dead from gunshot wounds at their home in West Des Moines, Iowa were victims of a murder-suicide.

The victims have been identified as Chandrasekhar Sunkara, 44, and Lavanya Sunkara, 41, along with their two sons, a 10-year-old and a 15-year-old.

Police have previously said they were confident there was no threat to the community, but they didn’t explain why.

West Des Moines Police said in a statement Tuesday: “Forensic autopsies were conducted June 16th. The State Medical Examiner’s Office has determined the causes of death for all four family members to be gunshot wounds. The manners of death for Lavanya Sunkara and the two boys are homicide. The manner of death for Chandrasekhar Sunkara is suicide.”

The Des Moines Register reported that other family members, two adult relatives and two children, were staying with the Sunkaras as guests. One of the survivors ran outside after discovering the bodies to seek help. A neighbor called 911.

In-laws told the Deccan Chronicle that depression may be the cause for the shooting.

According to the family, Chandrasekhar Sunkara had been depressed due to the ill-health of his elder son.

“Chandu could have consulted a psychiatrist in case of acute depression; the family should have intervened in case if they knew about his psychological condition,” a relative said.

The boys were “really bright children, really heads down,” said Shrikar Somayajula, a co-owner of and partner in A Grade Ahead, an after school educational program attended by the boys. “The family was a very friendly family, so it’s really painful.”

Somayajula added that the star students represented the school in national scholastic competitions and “wanted to go to one of the elite Ivy League colleges.”

Chandrasekhar Sunkara worked in IT for the Iowa Department of Public Safety, according to KCCI.

“Our hearts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the Sunkaras,” said the DPS in a statement.

Views From the Edge contributed to this report.

_____________________________________________________________________________________