Daijiworld Media Network – Acton

Acton (US), Aug 13: A 17-year-old Indian-origin teenager has been charged with allegedly killing his mother and younger brother at their family home in Acton, Massachusetts, following an overnight search that ended with his arrest early Wednesday.

Arjun Aravind, a student at Acton-Boxborough Regional High School, faces two murder charges in connection with the deaths of his mother, 45-year-old Sudha Venkatesan, and his 14-year-old brother, Siddharth Aravind.

Authorities said the teenager also faces two counts each of assault and battery on a household or family member and assault and battery, along with charges related to the unauthorised use and theft of a motor vehicle.

The deaths came to light on Tuesday evening after a tutor arrived at the family's Martha Lane residence shortly after 6:30 pm for a scheduled appointment but was unable to enter the house or contact anyone inside.

The tutor contacted Arjun's father, who also failed to reach his wife or children and asked Acton police to conduct a welfare check. The father had seen his wife earlier that morning before leaving for work, while his younger son had last been seen around midday.

When officers entered the residence, they found Sudha and Siddharth dead. Police said Siddharth was found on the first floor, while his mother's body was located in the finished basement. Both victims had suffered what authorities described as obvious trauma.

The precise cause and manner of death have not yet been disclosed, with the findings of the Chief Medical Examiner pending. Investigators are also working to determine whether a weapon was used.

Arjun was not at the residence when police arrived. Authorities said he had left in his mother's Honda Accord, prompting a search for the teenager and the vehicle.

The search ended early Wednesday when Wayland police responded to an unrelated alarm at a parking lot and found the Honda with Arjun inside. He was arrested without incident.

Investigators have also examined Arjun's online activity and said he had recently displayed concerning behaviour, including searches on the internet and ChatGPT involving theoretical ideas or fantasies about killing his family.

According to the Middlesex County District Attorney's Office, Arjun had also used ChatGPT while developing ideas for “Gothic novel-kind of stories”, including creating characters and asking questions about fictional scenarios. Authorities have not said that the searches directly established a motive for the alleged killings.

Arjun was expected to appear before Lowell Juvenile Court on Wednesday. However, as the court does not have jurisdiction over murder cases, the murder and related assault charges will later be addressed in Concord District Court.

The investigation remains ongoing. Authorities have not disclosed which Indian state the family originally came from.