In a tragic incident in Plainsboro, New Jersey, an Indian-origin family met a grim fate in their own home. The Plainsboro Police Department made the grim discovery after responding to a welfare check request via a 911 call on October 4. Authorities confirmed the incident, announcing an ongoing homicide investigation. Tej Pratap Singh, 43, and Sonal Parihar, 42, along with their 10-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter, were discovered lifeless in their residence.
Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Plainsboro Police Department Chief Eamon Blanchard stated that the bodies were found after officers arrived at the residence in response to the emergency call. The tragic incident, currently under investigation, has prompted autopsies to be carried out.
Despite the shocking nature of the incident, authorities have assured the public that there is no immediate danger, emphasising that the community’s safety is not compromised. The authorities have appealed to the public for any information or surveillance footage related to the incident, urging potential witnesses to contact the Plainsboro Police Department.
Plainsboro community leaders, Mayor Peter Cantu, and Chief Eamon Blanchard, Director of Public Safety, have expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of life that has befallen their community.
Mayor Peter Cantu conveyed the community’s profound sadness, stating, “What happened in our community is beyond comprehension.”
Plainsboro police officers, in collaboration with law enforcement partners, are diligently working to conclude the investigation. Chief Eamon Blanchard assured the community, stating, “Please be assured that this is an isolated occurrence and there are no additional concerns for the safety and well-being of the community related to this incident.”
Reiterating their commitment to public safety, the joint statement emphasised, “Our public safety personnel remain vigilant and resilient and will continue to ensure the safety of the Plainsboro community.”
The family’s residence on Titus Lane, as depicted in News 12 New Jersey footage, still bore crime scene tape around the lawn as of Thursday morning. The grim discovery was made after a concerned relative requested a welfare check. At the time, authorities were examining the possibility of the incident being a murder-suicide, as reported by the outlet.
The shocking demise of the Singh-Parihar family has left relatives in disbelief, with many expressing their profound shock over the tragedy. According to statements given to CBS News, Tej Pratap Singh and Sonal Parihar were regarded as a happy couple, a sentiment echoed by their close-knit community. Singh, especially, was an active participant in local activities, and deeply involved in the community.
At the time of his unfortunate passing, Singh held the position of lead APIX engineer at Ness Digital Engineering, as per his LinkedIn profile. Both Singh and Parihar had successful careers in the IT industry, with experience in the Human Resources sector, as shared by their relatives.
The children, who met a tragic end, were remembered in a heartfelt note sent by the school district to parents, as reported by News 12 New Jersey. Superintendent David Aderhold informed parents about the devastating incident, mentioning that the tragedy involved students from Wicoff and Millstone River School, two prominent local elementary schools. Due to the ongoing law enforcement investigation, detailed information was limited, leaving the community in mourning.
Public records revealed that Singh and Parihar purchased their Plainsboro home in August 2018 for USD 6,35,000. The couple was well-regarded by their neighbours, described as friendly and frequently seen strolling through the peaceful neighbourhood. A longtime neighbour, preferring to remain anonymous, shared that she had been on good terms with the family for over a decade, highlighting the sense of shock and loss rippling through the community.
A neighbour revealed that her routine morning encounter with the 6-year-old victim at the bus stop took a disturbing turn on the day of the tragic incident. Usually, her daughter and the 6-year-old girl would meet at the bus stop to travel to school together. However, on that fateful morning, the young girl didn’t appear as usual.
“It was strange not to see her in the morning,” the neighbour expressed, clearly unsettled by the absence. Describing the family, she remarked, “They were such a sweet family.” Concerned, she reached out to Sonal Parihar via text later that morning, but unfortunately, her message went unanswered, adding to the growing sense of unease within the community.
