A family of three died after falling from a luxury high-rise apartment building in London in what has reportedly been described as a suspected murder-suicide.
Rakesh Pai, 47, Aditi Paralkar, 46, and their 9-year-old son Sid died after plunging from their 36th-floor apartment in the Highpoint tower block in Elephant and Castle, south London, on May 27, according to multiple reports.
Emergency crews were called to the building at about 7:29 a.m. after receiving reports that people had fallen from the tower.
Despite resuscitation efforts by first responders, all three were pronounced dead at the scene.
The couple, who were originally from India, had been living in London with their son. Southwark Labour Member of Parliament Neil Coyle called the deaths a “terrible tragedy” and said Sid had reportedly been born with serious health problems.
“The suggestion was that the child was born in the UK with severe illnesses, which the police inferred contributed to their horrendous decision,” Coyle told The Telegraph.
Coyle also said Sid was believed to have suffered from kidney disease, according to reports.
The family had reportedly spent several years in India seeking treatment for Sid before later returning to the United Kingdom.
Police initially described the deaths as “unexpected,” according to reports from the BBC and The Guardian.
Acting Det. Supt. Dan Whitten later said investigators were still working to establish the facts surrounding the tragedy and were keeping an “open mind” about the circumstances.
He also urged the public and media not to speculate while the investigation continues.
“Their deaths are currently being treated as unexpected,” a police spokesperson said in a statement reported by The Guardian. “There were no other reported injuries.”
Julian Morris, the senior coroner for the London inner south area, confirmed the matter had been referred to his office.
The investigation continues.
36 floors?? What was left to resuscitate?