Man with financial woes kills family, self in US
Wednesday, 8 October 2008
LOS ANGELES, Oct 7(Agencies): An unemployed financial adviser apparently despondent over his troubles shot and killed his wife, his mother-in-law and three children before taking his own life in a gated community, Los Angeles police said Monday.
The 45-year-old financial manager who once made more than $1.2 million in a London-based venture fund had lost his job. His luck playing the stock market ran out.
Karthik Rajaram (45) used a handgun he purchased Sept. 16, police said. The bodies of the man's 39-year-old wife, 69-year-old mother-in-law, Indra Ramasesham, and three sons - ages 19, 12 and 7 - were found inside the home's bedrooms. The family is of Indian descent.
In a letter addressed to police, Rajaram blamed his actions on economic hardships. A second letter, labeled "personal and confidential," was addressed to family friends; the third contained a last will and testament.
Authorities believe Rajaram killed his family and himself after seeing his finances wiped out by the stock market collapse, according to a source familiar with the case.
The 45-year-old financial manager who once made more than $1.2 million in a London-based venture fund had lost his job. His luck playing the stock market ran out.
Karthik Rajaram (45) used a handgun he purchased Sept. 16, police said. The bodies of the man's 39-year-old wife, 69-year-old mother-in-law, Indra Ramasesham, and three sons - ages 19, 12 and 7 - were found inside the home's bedrooms. The family is of Indian descent.
In a letter addressed to police, Rajaram blamed his actions on economic hardships. A second letter, labeled "personal and confidential," was addressed to family friends; the third contained a last will and testament.
Authorities believe Rajaram killed his family and himself after seeing his finances wiped out by the stock market collapse, according to a source familiar with the case.