A horrifying incident has shaken the Indian and tech communities across the globe. Harshavardhana Kikkeri, a 57-year-old Indian-origin tech entrepreneur and CEO, allegedly shot his wife Shwetha Panyam (44), and 14-year-old son Dhruva before dying by suicide inside their townhouse in Newcastle, Washington, USA.
What Happened?
The King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) responded to a shooting call last week. Upon arrival, authorities discovered the bodies of Kikkeri, his wife, and his teenage son, all fatally shot. The Medical Examiner confirmed that Shwetha and Dhruva died of gunshot wounds in what is officially being treated as a double homicide and suicide.
The couple’s 7-year-old son survived the tragedy and is now the lone surviving member of the family.
Who Was Harshavardhana Kikkeri?
Kikkeri, a native of Mandya, Karnataka, studied in Mysuru before moving to the US, where he earned a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Syracuse University. He worked at Microsoft, focusing on robotics, and later co-founded tech startups with his wife, including HoloWorld and HoloSuit, a full-body motion capture suit powered by AI.
Kikkeri received several honors during his career, including:
- Microsoft’s Gold Star Award
- Infosys Excellence Award
- Bharat Petroleum Scholarship
- Multiple chess championship titles
What’s Known So Far?
While the motive behind the alleged murder-suicide remains unclear, authorities say the investigation is ongoing.
“An investigation such as this takes time… Our detectives are working diligently to piece together what led to this incident,” said KCSO in a public statement.
Neighbors described the family as quiet and reserved, stating they mostly kept to themselves in the townhouse community.
If You or Someone You Know is Struggling
Suicide is a preventable tragedy. If you or someone you know is feeling overwhelmed, please reach out to a mental health professional or call one of the following helplines in India:
- Sanjivini (Delhi): 011-40769002
- Sumaitri (Delhi): 011-23389090
- Aasra (Mumbai): 022-27546669
- Sneha (Chennai): 044-24640050
- Cooj (Goa): 0832-2252525
- Lifeline (Kolkata): 033-64643267
This devastating case highlights the importance of mental health awareness—especially in high-pressure environments like the tech industry.