A mother, father and their terminally ill nine-year-old son fell to their deaths from an apartment block in what is believed to be a suicide.
Aditi, Rakesh and their son Sid had been living on the 36th floor of the 45-storey UNCLE tower block in Elephant and Castle, south London, according to reports. Emergency services were called to the building May 27 after receiving reports the family had fallen from a height. All three were tragically pronounced dead at the scene.
Bermondsey and Old Southwark MP Neil Coyle wrote to residents of the building a day after the tragedy, The Sun reports. He said police were not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths.
Mr Coyle told constituents in his letter: “Sadly, on Wednesday, May 27, in the early morning, police and the London Ambulance Service were called to Churchyard Row after an awful incident involving a family falling multiple stories from the UNCLE building.
“This terrible tragedy saw a child, woman and man discovered with major trauma and despite the best efforts of officers and paramedics who conducted CPR, all three individuals were pronounced dead on site.
“I am so sorry that this awful occurrence has happened by your home. The tragic circumstances are not fully known yet, but the police believe it was suicide and are not seeking anyone else at this point (although investigations are ongoing).
“I cannot imagine what situation would lead a family to this terrifying incident, but my thoughts are with their family and loved ones, as well as to their friends and all who knew them locally.”
A local resident told the Mirror on May 29: “It was like a horror scene… there were just police and ambulances everywhere.” They added that the local community is “devastated” and said a letter had been sent to residents about the incident. “We are just saddened by the whole situation,” they said.
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A Met Police spokesperson said at the time: “Met detectives are investigating after three people died following a fall from height on Wednesday, 27 May. At 7.29am officers, the London Ambulance Service, London’s Air Ambulance and the London Fire Brigade attended a high-rise block of flats on Churchyard Row, Elephant and Castle, following reports that people had fallen from height.
“At the scene, three people – a man, a woman and a child – were found to have sadly died, despite resuscitation attempts by first responders. Their deaths are currently being treated as unexpected. There were no other reported injuries.
“Work is underway to formally identify those who died. Their next-of-kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers. Detectives are urging any witnesses or anyone with information to come forward by calling 101, quoting CAD 1613/27MAY.”