BETHANY, Ore. – One day after a Gladstone man killed his wife and himself in a terrifying Tualatin lab shooting, Washington County Sheriff’s Office reported that another murder-suicide in Bethany had left dead an Indian family.
According to the Oregonian, Mukesh Suthar, his wife Varsha and their son, Ronak, were found dead at a NW Oak Creek residence of the Bethany neighborhood.
Chandubhai Suthar of San Jose, Calif. told the newspaper he was the father of Mukesh. He said he called authorities on Tuesday, Nov. 10, after not speaking with his family for a longer-than-usual period, according to the newspaper. More on the Oregonian’s interview can be found here.
Investigators have not publicly disclosed the victims’ names because some family lives outside the United States. The mother of one of the victims had not yet been notified Thursday morning, said Sgt. David Thompson.
On Wednesday evening, Thompson said all the evidence pointed to murder-suicide. People who knew the family that lived in the home, and claimed to be friends, told investigators that it was a family of three – a husband, wife and child.
A forensic analysis would confirm the conclusive evidence, Thompson said, adding, “at this point it's clear that's what happened inside the house.”
Neighbors were shocked and described the community as very tight-knit. Tony Sipe, who lives nearby, noted that after four years in his home he found it to be a “very quiet neighborhood.”
“It’s very quiet, middle class -- good people, lots of kids, lots of families, everybody looks out for each other,” he said.
Another neighbor and friend of the victims told KGW that the woman identified as Varsha was a hair stylist who ran her business at the house. She called their deaths “terrifying” and said everything about the family seemed normal.
“I don't know what's going on or what went on with the family, but it's really unexpected and very shocking.” Kavita Rachakatla said. “I didn't see or anticipate any issues.”
Thompson said that investigators had not yet found a conclusive motive.
