Cops Claim Indian Industrialist Killed Wife, Daughter In US: Case So Far

The affluent Indian-origin Kamal family met a tragic end in their lavish USD 5 million mansion in Dover, Massachusetts, on December 28, 2023. The gruesome discovery included the lifeless bodies of Rakesh Kamal, 57; his wife, Teena Kamal, 54; and their college-going daughter, Arianna Kamal, 18. The preliminary investigation, spearheaded by Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey, has officially classified the incident as a murder-suicide, with Rakesh identified as the perpetrator.

The bodies of Rakesh Kamal, 57, his wife Teena, 54, and their 18-year-old daughter Ariana were discovered at approximately 7:30 pm on Thursday, according to Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey. Teena and Rakesh Kamal, known as Rick, had previously operated EduNova, an education systems company that, according to online records, faced financial difficulties in recent years.

The Autopsy Verdict

Autopsy results from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner have confirmed that Teena and Arianna fell victim to homicide by gunshot, while Rakesh succumbed to a self-inflicted gunshot wound. 

A firearm, identified as a .40 calibre Glock 22, was discovered near Rakesh Kamal. Disturbingly, the firearm was not registered in his name, and he lacked the necessary license for its possession. Massachusetts State Police have sought the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to trace the origin of the weapon.

The Education Venture: EduNova

EduNova, founded in 2016 and dissolved in December 2021, aimed to revolutionise education with a "student success system." Teena Kamal, a Harvard alumna, served as the Chief Operating Officer, bringing her over three decades of experience in the education and technology sectors. Rakesh Kamal, an alumnus of Boston University, MIT Sloan School of Management, and Stanford University, has an extensive background in education consulting.

Ariana Kamal, the 18-year-old daughter, was a student at Middlebury College, a prestigious private liberal arts school in Vermont.

Bankruptcy And Legal Struggles

Compounding the family's challenges, their sprawling mansion, valued at $5.45 million, went into foreclosure a year ago, ultimately being sold to Wilsondale Associates LLC for $3 million. The 19,000-square-foot estate, boasting 11 bedrooms, had been purchased by the Kamals for $4 million in 2019. 

Teena Kamal filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy in September 2022, citing liabilities ranging from $1 million to $10 million. However, the case was dismissed two months later due to insufficient documentation. These legal struggles shed light on the challenges the family faced in their final months.