US-Based Indian Entrepreneur Kills Family, Dies by Suicide

Quick Summary

• A US-based Indian entrepreneur, Harshavardhana S. Kikkeri (57), killed his wife Shwetha and their young son before taking his own life on April 24, 2025. The incident occured in Newcastle area, washington.
• The couple’s other son survived as he was not at home during the tragic event.
• Harshavardhana and Shwetha originally hailed from Karnataka’s Mandya district and had co-founded a robotics company named HoloWorld in 2017, which closed operations in 2022 due to challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Friends, neighbors, and colleagues expressed shock over the incident as Kikkeri was known for his professional success and seemingly stable family life.
• The reasons behind the murders and suicide remain unclear; investigations are ongoing according to police.

Indian Opinion analysis
This deeply tragic incident raises critically important discussions about mental health struggles that can remain hidden behind the veneer of professional accomplishments or stable personal lives. While no motive has yet been established by authorities, it highlights how connecting personal crises with external factors-such as career setbacks or isolation-could be important for prevention strategies among expatriate communities abroad. For India specifically, this underscores a need for better support systems for Indians living overseas who may face compounded pressures of adjusting to foreign environments while maintaining familial stability.

Read More: Republic World