US-based Hyd couple found dead, cops suspect husband killed wife, then self

A couple from Hyderabad based in the US was found dead at their home in Houston, Texas on Monday morning. The Sugar Land Police Department (SLDP) investigating the case said their deaths are suspected to be a case of murder-suicide. The investigation is ongoing.

The police were called to check on the couple at 5:40 am on Monday by neighbours who heard gunshots. Upon arrival, police found the bodies of Sreenivas Nakirekanti, 51, and his wife, Shanti Nakirekanti, 46. Both were discovered with gun shot wounds, and a handgun was found near the body of Srinivas, police said.

Preliminary investigations suggest that Sreenivas shot and killed Shanti before turning the gun on himself. The couple has a 16-year-old daughter and a 21-year-old son attending the University of Texas, police said. The daughter, who was sleeping at home at the time of shooting, was not injured and is currently in the custody of friends, said Sugar Land City spokesman Sough Adolph.

"The two fatalities fit the scenario of a murder-suicide. This case is still under investigation," said the Sugar Land Police Department (SLDP) in a press statement. "There is no danger to residents and SLPD is not looking for any suspects," it noted.

There was no history of domestic violence between the couple, according to police. However, friends of the couple informed the police that they had received an email from Sreenivas on Monday morning at 5 am, though police have asked the recipients of the email not to share its contents.