An Indian-origin couple and their nine-year-old son died after falling from the balcony of their 36th-floor apartment in a luxury residential tower in London, in what police are treating as an “unexpected” death.
According to a report in The Telegraph, the incident took place on May 27 at a 46-storey building in south London.
Emergency services rushed to the spot after witnesses reported that people had fallen from a height. Despite efforts by paramedics to revive them, Rakesh Pai, 47, his wife Aditi Paralkar, 46, and their nine-year-old son Sid were declared dead at the scene.
The family had been living on the 36th floor of the building.
Local MP Neil Coyle said police believe the child’s serious health condition may have been a factor behind what he described as a “horrendous decision.”
“It’s a terrible tragedy, a family of three. Just awful. Some constituents saw it happen. The suggestion was that the child was born in the UK with severe illnesses, which the police inferred contributed to their horrendous decision,” Coyle wrote in a letter to residents of the building.
Known to friends as Adi and Robin, the couple reportedly worked in finance and construction consulting. The family had travelled to India in 2020 seeking treatment for Sid but returned to the UK in 2025 after his condition did not improve.
However, some friends have questioned the suggestion that the deaths were a murder-suicide.
One friend told the publication that the theory did not make sense to them, saying that while Aditi was visibly struggling, Rakesh appeared more composed and was handling the situation better despite the pressure caused by Sid’s illness.
Another person close to the family said caring for Sid had taken a huge toll on Aditi’s mental health.
A neighbour reportedly told police that she had heard “shouting and screaming” from the family’s apartment in the weeks before their deaths.
A police spokesperson said the deaths are currently being treated as unexpected and that there were no other reported injuries. The next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
Julian Morris, senior coroner for the London Inner South area, said the matter had been referred to his office.
“The Metropolitan Police are currently conducting their investigation, and we are providing assistance where necessary,” he said.
The official causes of death will be established during an inquest, the date for which has not yet been announced.
