Newcastle, WA, June 18, 2025: Nearly two months after a tragic murder-suicide shook the community, the surviving son of the family has found a new home and a fresh start under the care of his maternal uncle. On April 24, 2025, Shwetha Panyam, her 14-year-old son Dhruva, and her husband Harshavardhana Kikkeri were found dead in their Newcastle, Washington townhouse. Authorities say Kikkeri, a tech entrepreneur, shot and killed his wife and older son before turning the gun on himself. The couple’s 7-year-old son managed to escape the scene.
Now, in an update shared through a GoFundMe page, Shwetha’s brother, Akshay Ram Panyam, confirmed that he has been granted legal guardianship of his nephew by King County, Washington, and that the two have relocated to Pennsylvania to begin a new chapter together.
“In the weeks since, we’ve been navigating an overwhelming mix of grief, shock, and uncertainty,” Akshay writes. “I’m glad to share that my younger nephew is safe… He’s resilient beyond words, and deserves every chance to heal, to grow, and to thrive.”…