SAN MATEO, Calif. – A tragic incident has left a family of four from Kerala, India, dead in their home in San Mateo, California. Authorities are currently investigating the case as a possible murder-suicide, which has shocked the community.
Anand Sujith Henry, 42, his wife Alice Priyanka Benziger, 40, and their 4-year-old twin boys were discovered deceased in their home on the 4100 block of Alameda de las Pulgas. Police were initially called for a welfare check after receiving no response from the family.
Upon entering the home, officers found the bodies of the two adults in the bathroom, both with gunshot wounds. A 9mm pistol and a loaded magazine were also found at the scene. The twin boys were found in a bedroom, and while the cause of their death is still under investigation, it is suspected that they may have been smothered, strangled, or poisoned, as they showed no signs of physical trauma.
Anand had reportedly filed for divorce in December 2016, and although the proceedings were not finalized, court records indicate a troubled relationship. Both Anand and Alice worked as IT professionals and had been living in the United States for the past nine years. An investigation into a motive for the deaths is ongoing, as no suicide note was found.
This tragic incident echoes a similar case in Massachusetts, where an Indian-origin couple and their teenage daughter were found dead in their mansion. The authorities ascribed the deaths to a “domestic violence situation,” indicating the distressing impact of such incidents within the Indian community living abroad.
The loss of this family has deeply affected the community, raising discussions about the pressures faced by immigrant families and the need for mental health support. As the investigation continues, the city of San Mateo mourns the lives lost and hopes for answers in this heartbreaking tragedy.